Homeowners wanting to concrete over a front garden or lay a new patio will require planning permission under rules coming into force today.

The Government hopes the move will halt the loss of green spaces in cities and towns and reduce the risk of surface water flooding.

In London alone, two thirds of front gardens have been lost in recent decades, an area equivalent to 22 Hyde Parks or more than 5,200 football pitches.

This has greatly reduced areas where rainwater can seep into the ground. Instead it pours into already overstretched drains and sewers - increasing the chances of flash floods.

Two-thirds of homes hit by last summer's floods were victims of surface water flooding - where water gathers on hard surfaces much more quickly than it can drain away.

Under the rules, anyone concreting over a garden will need to spend around £150 on planning permission, unless they use porous bricks, gravel or slabs that allow rainwater to soak through.

Full article here