New legislation to halt the spread of concrete across front gardens.

September 2008. In London, an estimated two-thirds of the Capital's front gardens have been lost to hard standing for car parking; that's about thirty-two square kilometres, or the equivalent of sixteen Olympic Parks!

"This new legislation will require anyone wishing to lay concrete over their gardens to get planning permission, which could cost them £150". Said Tim Webb of the RSPB in London. "We welcome it because it will protect land that has supported our fragile urban wildlife, it will also help prevent flash flooding, which can devastate rivers and streams and the wildlife they support."

Planning permission will not be required for anyone creating car parking using surfaces that allow water to seep through and plants to grow.

Tim added, "This legislation is a win-win situation for everyone. Home owners still get to create a parking bay, but by using permeable surfaces they'll also help support a range of plants, insects and birds, while protecting their homes and the environment against floods."

Hardy plants such as thyme and creeping jenny will tolerate being parked on and trampled, but provide food and shelter for insects. Climbers and wall-shrubs can be planted at the edges or in pots.