Benefits of pervious surfaces

One benefit that constructed pervious surfaces have to offer is assisting in the achievement of sustainable planning policies. Such policies include:

• Environment Agency SuDS promotion policies.

• Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) SuDS promotion policies.

• National policy statements – make referencing to the use of SuDS.

Pervious surfaces that are used in suitable locations and designed, constructed and adequately maintained following guidance produced by CIRIA or Interpave should provide a cost effective and durable source control technique.

Other benefits of using correctly designed, constructed and maintained pervious surfaces include:

• Reduced peak flows to watercourses, reducing the risk of flooding downstream.

• Reduced effects of pollution in runoff on the environment.

• Can be used in high density developments with a range of surface finishes that accept surface waters over their area of use.

• Reduced need for deep excavations for drainage, which can have significant cost benefits.

• Flexible solution that can be tailored so that construction costs suit the proposed usage and design life.

• Costs are comparable to or lower than traditional surfacing and drainage solutions (providing all the costs are taken into account).

Read more on:

• Source control

• Pervious surfaces overview

• Hydraulic performance

• Pervious surface types

• Other permeable surfaces