Why Paving Over Your Front Garden is Bad for You and the Environment

When faced with the challenge of parking, many homeowners in the UK opt to pave over their gardens to make space for cars.

It makes sense, right? Or does it?

Whilst this may seem like the most obvious and practical solution, the long-term consequences for the environment, wildlife and even property value may be overlooked here. That's why, in this article, we’re going to take a look at why paving over your front garden is a terrible idea—and what you can do instead.

But First, Your Front Garden Is More Than Just a Feature

More than just aesthetics, your front garden actually plays a crucial role in keeping our towns and cities green and liveable.

Yet, research shows that they are disappearing at an alarming rate!

A study by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) found that nearly a quarter of front gardens in north-east England are now completely paved. In London, the problem is even more pronounced, with 12 square miles of front gardens (that’s the size of 22 Hyde Parks!) having been lost to paving. Whilst there are planning controls in place to prevent this, it is important for homeowners to consider the impact of paving over their front gardens before making irreversible changes that may cause more damage than they anticipate.

But what exactly are the consequences of paving over our front gardens? And how can you achieve a balance between your practical needs and environmental responsibility?

Five Hidden Costs of Paving Over Your Front Gardens

1. Increased Flood Risk

Gardens naturally absorb rainwater, but when paved over with impermeable surfaces like concrete or tarmac, the amount of water runoff can increase by up to 50%!

This excess water ends up flowing into street drains, which are not designed to cope with this amount of rainwater, especially during heavy storms. Even though your home and your area may not be flooded, this might affect your neighbours downhill. Especially in cities like London, where rainwater run-off is directed into the sewer system and overwhelmed drains can lead to polluted water being discharged into rivers.

Case in point: In 2011, a sudden influx of untreated storm water led to the deaths of thousands of fish in the River Thames.

2. Urban Heat Island Effect

Paved surfaces absorb heat during the day and release it at night, causing what’s known as the “urban heat island effect.” This raises local temperatures, making it harder to sleep on warm nights, which in turn increases the demand for air conditioning—a major energy drain that ultimately contributes to climate change.

In contrast, plants and grass help regulate temperatures by providing shade and releasing moisture. In other words, when you take away the greenery from your home, your surrounding area becomes noticeably hotter and less comfortable to live in.

3. Biodiversity Loss

You’ll be surprised how much wildlife your front garden can support, including birds, butterflies and pollinating insects like bees.

These little friends play a key role in maintaining local ecosystems, supporting plant reproduction and natural pest control. By removing plants in favour of paving, we strip away their food sources and habitats, making urban areas even less hospitable for them. Given that their populations are already fast dwindling due to habitat loss and climate change, every green space matters even more now than ever.

Not to mention trees and hedges also help improve air quality by trapping dust and pollutants. Without them, city air will become more polluted and respiratory problems in urban areas will become more prevalent.

4. Reduced Property Value and Curb Appeal

Whilst off-street parking can add value in areas with restricted parking, the overall loss of front gardens can have the opposite effect.

Studies show that streets lined with greenery are more desirable, and homes in such areas tend to command higher prices. According to Darren Johnson, chairman of the London Assembly’s environment committee, “the average house price can drop” if a large number of houses on a street pave over their gardens.

Because a well-maintained front garden adds to a property’s charm, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Whereas concrete offers very little visual appeal and can make a property feel cold and uninviting. After all, no one has ever felt welcomed by a bare concrete pavement!

5. Risk of Subsidence

Hard surfaces, like paved driveways, prevent rainwater from being absorbed into the soil. This disrupts the natural water cycle, which can cause the ground to shrink, especially in areas with clay-heavy soil.

Neil Curling, Senior Subsidence Manager at Halifax Home Insurance, has pointed out that “hard paving can cause severe subsidence as it reduces or stops rainfall from getting into the ground.”

That’s because clay soils are especially vulnerable since they expand when wet and shrink when dry. The loss of rainwater absorption can exacerbate this process, increasing the risk of subsidence, leading to cracks in walls, paths and even the structure of houses themselves.

Subsidence can cause extensive damage to your home’s foundation, and the cost of repairing this kind of damage can be substantial, since it often requires specialist assessments and costly foundation work to address the structural issues.

How to Get Parking Without Sacrificing Green Space

We get it. Those who live in areas with limited street parking need parking solutions, and sometimes they come with sacrifices—but what if we tell you that’s not necessarily true?

Yes, with the right planning and design, it is possible to have both a driveway and a green front garden. In this article, we’re exploring some practical design solutions that fulfil your need for parking whilst preserving valuable green space.

Join Our Call for Change

Local councils have planning controls on some developments, but there are few regulations preventing homeowners from paving over front gardens. This means it’s up to every one of us to make responsible choices.

So before you reach for the paving slabs, we urge you to reconsider your options. Your garden and your city will thank you for it.

If you’d like to talk more about this subject, we’re all ears. Feel free to write us a message or connect with our designer, David, on LinkedIn.