Digging up problems when paving over a garden

With many householders tidying up their gardens for winter this half term holiday week, they should think carefully about paving or putting decking over their plot, says Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox.

He was commenting on research by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which showed that more than a fifth of residents are planning to get rid of their lawns and flower borders within the next five years.

“I can understand some gardeners wanting an easier life by turning their outside area from green to grey,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science Innovation Park. “But they should be aware of the long-term effects of their actions on the environment, which include the loss of wildlife, the effect on people’s health and a risk of flooding.”

The report by HTA, the trade body for garden centres and nurseries, said 23 per cent of adults were planning to pave or deck over their garden by 2030, which amounted to 409sq kilometres of green space.

Today 26 per of the UK domestic garden area is paved or decked, while the rest is soil, lawn or planted. But at the present rate this would rise to 34 per cent in the next five years.

“Many people do not realise that what seems a small project has a big effect on their carbon footprint and their domestic home,” said Ron.

They include:

Flash flooding: Paving prevents rain water from seeping into the soil, which leads to more surface water that can overwhelm local drains and sewage systems, increasing the risk of flash flooding in residential areas.

Effect on nature: Heavily-paved areas provide no habitat for wildlife. Destroying green spaces that support a variety of species, especially essential pollinators such as bees, are bad for the environment.

Poorer air quality: Paved surfaces absorb and retain heat during the day, releasing it at night, which raises local temperatures and leads to poorer air quality. Gardens with plants and trees help to regulate urban temperatures with their cooling effect.

Impact on people’s health: A survey by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in Salford found that even creating very small front gardens can help reduce stress in people.

Pollution: Hard surfaces wash oil, petrol, and brake dust into drains, so eventually polluting rivers and streams.

Water supplies: By preventing water from reaching the soil, paving reduces the amount of water that replenishes natural underground water supplies.

Global warming: The production of cement, a key component of concrete, is energy-intensive and is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions. Plus, the transport of materials, often from long distance, also adds to the carbon footprint when paving over gardens.

“I was interested to see a recent survey carried out by the insurers Aviva that found only a third of people (33 per cent) believed the lack of natural planting in a garden can increase the risk of flooding,” said Ron. “I just hope people look at all the risks and have second thoughts before paving over their garden,” he concluded.

For those wanting more advice about how to make their homes more environmentally friendly, call Ron on 0845 474 6641 or contact us here

Caption: Concrete evidence – Paving over a garden can have a big impact on the environment.