BREEAM Hard landscaping and boundary protection
Contents |
[edit] Aim and benefits
To recognise and encourage the specification of materials for boundary protection and external hard surfaces that have a low environmental impact, taking account of the full lifecycle of materials used.
Hard landscaping can make up a significant area of the development and mitigating its impact can make a significant different to the site.
[edit] Value to client
Choice of specification will take into account the life-cycle cost and impact, which means that durability and maintenance affecting the client are considered part of the design.
[edit] When to consider
Stage 2
When the design is moving into detailed design. Green guide ratings of materials should be checked and the areas being dealt with should be calculated as early as possible.
[edit] Step by step guidance
Landscape architect or Architect is responsible for this credit.
The landscape specification and design drawings should be provided with the green guide ratings for each applicable element detailed.
The green guide to specification should be consulted when the specification is being put together -www.thegreenguide.org.uk
Access to the Green guide requires a log in, an email address is all that is needed and anyone can access it.
Where a green guide rating cannot be found to match a proposed element the BREEAM assessor can contact the BRE for a bespoke rating. Many manufacturers have green guide ratings for their products.
The areas of each applicable element are required to confirm that 80% of the products are A or A+. Where all the elements are A or A+ areas are not needed.
The areas of each element are best shown on design drawings.
Any existing or specified natural boundary protection gets an A+.
[edit] Questions to ask while seeking compliance
Who is specifying the hard landscaping and boundary protection?
Has the green guide been used when choosing the materials?
Are there any materials that must be used due to the requirements of a third party (e.g. local council)? See KBCN00062.
Can natural boundary protection such as hedges be used?
How much hard landscaping does there need to be?
[edit] Tools and resources
[edit] Tips and best practice
Determine the green guide ratings as early as possible.
The more soft landscaping you have the less areas that need calculated.
[edit] Typical evidence
Areas of the hard landscaping and boundary protection
Green guide ratings for each element.
[edit] Applicable Schemes
The guidelines collated in this ISD aim to support sustainable best practice in the topic described. This issue may apply in multiple BREEAM schemes covering different stages in the life of a building, different building types and different year versions. Some content may be generic but scheme nuances should also be taken into account. Refer to the comments below and related articles to this one to understand these nuances. See this document for further guidelines.
- UK New Construction 2014
BRE Global does not endorse any of the content posted and use of the content will not guarantee the meeting of certification criteria.
--Emma Houston 11:17, 18 Jan 2018 (BST)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.