As of October 2008, customers wishing to have regular paving installed over their front gardens will be required by law to apply to their local council for planning permission. This may cost £150 and could take approx 8 weeks for a decision. The reasoning behind this is to help ease the burden on the sewerage systems at times of very heavy rain. There are other solutions that do not require the permission to be paid for & granted – consider aggregates like crushed slate. More information can be found on the planning portal.