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Paving way for future
• TWO years ago I chaired a major investment into the loss of London’s front gardens.
The report by the London Assembly’s Environment Committee showed that paving over your front garden is not only bad news for wildlife but also increases flooding risk.
Because rainfall cannot naturally soak into the soil, London’s antiquated drainage systems become overloaded. Since our report was published I am happy to say that many people are now more aware of the problem.
Organisations such as the Royal Horticultural Society and the London Wildlife Trust have launched welcome awareness campaigns and the Mayor of London has also altered his London Plan policies to take on board our recommendations.
However, one key obstacle is still national planning policy.
Local authorities need to be given the power to introduce tougher rules on pavement crossovers in order to limit the amount of gardens being paved.
Our report revealed that London has already lost green space equivalent to 22 Hyde Parks. We really don’t want to lose any more.
DARREN JOHNSON AM
Green Party Group
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