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The materials used in your garden can significantly impact the environment, particularly in terms of flood risk mitigation and carbon emissions.
Reducing hardstanding
11.7.1
Hardstanding contributes to flash flooding by preventing water from filtering back into the ground. To mitigate this, residents should keep paving to a minimum, use permeable materials and maximise rainwater-absorbing plants. Residents are advised to retain at least 75% of their garden as green space.
11.7.2
Reducing the area of hard surfacing in gardens, by de-paving and integrating planting, is also a key way to counteract urban heat island (UHI) effect.
11.7.3
Gravel, permeable concrete or porous asphalt are all examples of porous/permeable materials. Where impervious materials are used, rainwater should be directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally, known as a soakaway.
11.7.4
Patios and paths should be minimised wherever possible. Gravel and bark chips serve as low-maintenance materials for paths that allow water to permeate.
11.7.5
Where hard ground surfaces can’t be removed, plants in containers help to provide shade, absorb water and encourage biodiversity. Plants in pots also provide opportunities for pollinators and attract other insects, providing food for birds.
Permeable timber decking, gravel and planters create a garden that is easy to maintain and access
Sustainable materials
11.7.6
Wood used in gardens should be sourced from managed forests. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) mark.
11.7.7
Opting for locally sourced or reclaimed materials can reduce the carbon footprint associated with building materials. Consider using recycled ceramic gravel or reclaimed stone slabs for paths.
11.7.8
Consider more sustainable alternatives to cement-based concrete, for example:
Ferrock is made from 90% waste materials, primarily iron dust, which reacts with carbon dioxide to form iron carbonate, thereby absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
Timbercrete is a reduced-cement concrete that substitutes up to 10% with sawmill waste, creating a material about 2.5 times lighter than conventional concrete. It is available in forms such as blocks, bricks, and pavers.
Rammed earth consists of compacted subsoil or chalk packed between temporary panels. It can be used for steps, walls, and seating, though its durability may be limited in damp climates.
Gravel can serve as a low-maintenance permeable surface for portions of front or rear gardens
11.8 Non-greening elements
Parking surfaces
11.8.1
If off-street private parking is the only option for your house, the use of impermeable driveway materials is discouraged, due to the increase to flood risk posed by these materials.
11.8.2
Planning permission is required to lay an impermeable surface over an area larger than 5sqm. Read government guidance on paving front gardens here.
11.8.3
For alterations to existing driveways, permeable materials such as gravel, vegetation, grass-crete or wheel tracks should be used in order to mitigate flood risk.
Gravel serves a permeable surface material for driveways
Electric vehicle charging
The ownership of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Waltham Forest is rapidly increasing, and the Council is working to ensure that switching to an EV is as convenient as possible.
Opting for an EV over a petrol or diesel vehicle is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. As we progress towards a low-carbon society, EVs are becoming a crucial mode of transport, alongside cycling, walking and public transportation.
11.8.5
Where an electric vehicle charging point is being introduced it must:
be discretely placed in a convenient location adjacent to the highway.
consider the practicalities of charging and parking.
minimise any risk of clutter or hazard to the public highway.
Electric car charging point installed close to the highwayAir conditioning units
11.8.6
Affixing air conditioning (AC) units to the house exterior is generally discouraged, due to resulting noise and visual clutter.
11.8.7
As detailed here, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) serves as a more energy efficient alternative to air conditioning, providing better indoor air quality and humidity control.
11.8.8
If there are legacy air conditioning units fixed to a dwelling, their removal is encouraged in order to improve external appearance and reduce visual clutter.
Satellite dishes
11.8.9
If there are unused satellite dishes or other legacy items fixed to a dwelling, their removal is encouraged.
11.7 Garden Materials
The materials used in your garden can significantly impact the environment, particularly in terms of flood risk mitigation and carbon emissions.
Reducing hardstanding
11.7.1
Hardstanding contributes to flash flooding by preventing water from filtering back into the ground. To mitigate this, residents should keep paving to a minimum, use permeable materials and maximise rainwater-absorbing plants. Residents are advised to retain at least 75% of their garden as green space.
11.7.2
Reducing the area of hard surfacing in gardens, by de-paving and integrating planting, is also a key way to counteract urban heat island (UHI) effect.
11.7.3
Gravel, permeable concrete or porous asphalt are all examples of porous/permeable materials. Where impervious materials are used, rainwater should be directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally, known as a soakaway.
11.7.4
Patios and paths should be minimised wherever possible. Gravel and bark chips serve as low-maintenance materials for paths that allow water to permeate.
11.7.5
Where hard ground surfaces can’t be removed, plants in containers help to provide shade, absorb water and encourage biodiversity. Plants in pots also provide opportunities for pollinators and attract other insects, providing food for birds.
Permeable timber decking, gravel and planters create a garden that is easy to maintain and access
Sustainable materials
11.7.6
Wood used in gardens should be sourced from managed forests. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) mark.
11.7.7
Opting for locally sourced or reclaimed materials can reduce the carbon footprint associated with building materials. Consider using recycled ceramic gravel or reclaimed stone slabs for paths.
11.7.8
Consider more sustainable alternatives to cement-based concrete, for example:
Ferrock is made from 90% waste materials, primarily iron dust, which reacts with carbon dioxide to form iron carbonate, thereby absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
Timbercrete is a reduced-cement concrete that substitutes up to 10% with sawmill waste, creating a material about 2.5 times lighter than conventional concrete. It is available in forms such as blocks, bricks, and pavers.
Rammed earth consists of compacted subsoil or chalk packed between temporary panels. It can be used for steps, walls, and seating, though its durability may be limited in damp climates.
Gravel can serve as a low-maintenance permeable surface for portions of front or rear gardens
11.8 Non-greening elements
Parking surfaces
11.8.1
If off-street private parking is the only option for your house, the use of impermeable driveway materials is discouraged, due to the increase to flood risk posed by these materials.
11.8.2
Planning permission is required to lay an impermeable surface over an area larger than 5sqm. Read government guidance on paving front gardens here.
11.8.3
For alterations to existing driveways, permeable materials such as gravel, vegetation, grass-crete or wheel tracks should be used in order to mitigate flood risk.
Gravel serves a permeable surface material for driveways
Electric vehicle charging
The ownership of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Waltham Forest is rapidly increasing, and the Council is working to ensure that switching to an EV is as convenient as possible.
Opting for an EV over a petrol or diesel vehicle is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. As we progress towards a low-carbon society, EVs are becoming a crucial mode of transport, alongside cycling, walking and public transportation.
11.8.5
Where an electric vehicle charging point is being introduced it must:
be discretely placed in a convenient location adjacent to the highway.
consider the practicalities of charging and parking.
minimise any risk of clutter or hazard to the public highway.
Electric car charging point installed close to the highwayAir conditioning units
11.8.6
Affixing air conditioning (AC) units to the house exterior is generally discouraged, due to resulting noise and visual clutter.
11.8.7
As detailed here, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) serves as a more energy efficient alternative to air conditioning, providing better indoor air quality and humidity control.
11.8.8
If there are legacy air conditioning units fixed to a dwelling, their removal is encouraged in order to improve external appearance and reduce visual clutter.
Satellite dishes
11.8.9
If there are unused satellite dishes or other legacy items fixed to a dwelling, their removal is encouraged.
Permeable timber decking, gravel and planters create a garden that is easy to maintain and access 
Gravel can serve as a low-maintenance permeable surface for portions of front or rear gardens
Gravel serves a permeable surface material for driveways
Electric car charging point installed close to the highwayAir conditioning units