BREEAM Ecological value of site
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[edit] Aim and benefits
To encourage development on land that already has limited value to wildlife and to protect existing ecological features from substantial damage during site preparation and completion of construction works.
[edit] When to consider
Before RIBA stage 1 where possible. A site inspection by an ecologist must be carried out before any works begin on the chosen site. Where there is a choice of sites, inspections will be required of each and where able the site with the lowest ecological value should be selected. If an area of the site needs to be protected then the design and works will have to work around that and the earlier this is known the better.
[edit] Step-by-step guidance
The ‘BREEAM checklist for defining land of low ecological value’ can be used by the Assessor. Where a project wishes to achieve a BREEAM Very Good rating an ecologist will need to be involved as part of the minimum requirements and so would be best placed to advise on the ecological value of the site too.
Where the BREEAM checklist is being used the assessor will need to be provided with the following information:
- If planning required an ecological survey or statement? (Most likely yes)
- Where exactly the site is located and the assessor can investigate or design team can provide evidence to show if there are any special areas of conservation, special protection areas, sites of special scientific interest or Ramsar sites nearby. http://www.magic.gov.uk/ can be used for sites in England.
- What kind of habitats and features are found on the site.
When using the BREEAM checklist if any of the answers to the questions are yes then an ecologist will need to become involved to determine if the site is of low ecological value.
For ease, it is best to involve a suitably qualified ecologist from the start.
Before procuring an ecologist, it should be checked that they are suitably qualified in line with BREEAM requirements.
If using an ecologist, they will need to carry out a site inspection prior to any works beginning on site and at appropriate times of the year to determine if there is any ecological value in the site. If the overall value of the site is low the credit will be achievable but if there is value the site cannot gain the credit. See compliance notes in the BREEAM manual if the site was cleared prior to purchase.
Where the ecologist confirms the overall value is low but there are some features that should be retained and protected during construction these should be highlighted to the design team as early as possible.
The contractor should know they must put in place protection measures before they are appointed.
[edit] Questions to ask while seeking compliance
- What state is the site in?
- Is it mostly hard standing?
- Is it a greenfield site or a brownfield site?
- What surrounds the site, urban, semi-rural, rural?
- Are there any derelict buildings?
- Are there trees on site, if so are they established?
[edit] Tools and resources
- Knowledge base - http://kb.breeam.com/section/new-construction/uk/2014-uk/landuseandecology/le02/
- http://www.magic.gov.uk/
- https://www.gov.uk/check-your-business-protected-area which provides links to sites such as - http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/sacselection/SAC_list.asp?Country=E, http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/sitelink/index.jsp and http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-162
[edit] Tips and best practice
[edit] Typical evidence
- Ecology report produced by a suitably qualified ecologist.
- Confirmation the ecologist is suitably qualified.
- Correspondence from the local authority to demonstrate if an ecology statement was needed.
- Maps and extracts from websites and authorities on the location of protected areas.
- Site photographs.
[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 11:15, 18 Jan 2018 (BST)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Biodiversity in the urban environment.
- Biodiversity offsetting.
- Biodiversity net gain consultation.
- BREEAM Enhancing site ecology.
- BREEAM Protection of ecological features.
- BREEAM Minimising impact on existing site ecology.
- Ecological baseline.
- Ecological impact assessment.
- Ecological network.
- Ecological survey.
- Ecologist.
- Ecology compensation.
- Habitat Suitability Index.
Issue support documents
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[edit] Management:
- BREEAM Sustainability champion
- BREEAM Environmental management
- BREEAM Considerate construction
- BREEAM Monitoring of construction site impacts
- BREEAM Aftercare support
- BREEAM Seasonal commissioning
- BREEAM Testing and inspecting building fabric
- BREEAM Life cycle cost and service life planning
- BREEAM Stakeholder consultation (ac)
- BREEAM Commissioning (ac)
- BREEAM Handover (ac)
- BREEAM Inclusive and accessible design (ac)
- BREEAM Post occupancy evaluation
[edit] Health and Wellbeing
- BREEAM Visual comfort Daylighting (partly ac)
- BREEAM Visual comfort View out
- BREEAM Visual comfort Glare control
- BREEAM Indoor air quality plan
- BREEAM Indoor air quality Ventilation
- BREEAM Thermal comfort
- BREEAM Internal and external lighting (ac)
- BREEAM Indoor pollutants VOCs (ac)
- BREEAM Potential for natural ventilation (ac)
- BREEAM Safe containment in laboratories (ac)
- BREEAM Acoustic performance
- BREEAM Safety and security (ac)
[edit] Energy
- BREEAM Reduction of energy use and carbon emissions
- BREEAM Energy monitoring
- BREEAM External lighting
- BREEAM Low carbon design
- BREEAM Passive design
- BREEAM Free cooling
- BREEAM LZC technologies
- BREEAM Energy efficient cold storage (partly ac)
- BREEAM Energy efficient transportation systems
- BREEAM Energy efficient laboratory systems
- BREEAM Energy efficient equipment (partly ac)
- BREEAM Drying space
[edit] Transport
- BREEAM Transport assessment and travel plan
- BREEAM Public transport accessibility
- BREEAM Sustainable transport measures
- BREEAM Proximity to amenities
- BREEAM Cyclist facilities
- BREEAM Alternative modes of transport (ac)
- BREEAM Maximum car parking capacity
- BREEAM Travel plan
- BREEAM Home office (ac)
[edit] Water
- BREEAM Water consumption
- BREEAM Water efficient equipment
- BREEAM Water monitoring
- BREEAM Water leak detection (ac)
[edit] Materials
- BREEAM Hard landscaping and boundary protection
- BREEAM Responsible sourcing of materials
- BREEAM Insulation
- BREEAM Designing for durability and resilience
- BREEAM Life cycle impacts
- BREEAM Material efficiency (ac)
[edit] Waste
- BREEAM Construction waste management
- BREEAM Recycled aggregates
- BREEAM Speculative floor & ceiling finishes
- BREEAM Adaptation to climate change
- BREEAM Operational waste
- BREEAM Functional adaptability (ac)
[edit] Land Use and Ecology
- BREEAM Site Selection
- BREEAM Ecological value of site
- BREEAM Protection of ecological features
- BREEAM Minimising impact on existing site ecology
- BREEAM Enhancing site ecology
- BREEAM Long term impact on biodiversity (ac)
[edit] Pollution
- BREEAM Impact of refrigerants
- BREEAM NOx emissions
- BREEAM Flood risk management (ac)
- BREEAM Surface water run-off (ac)
- BREEAM Reduction of night time light pollution (partly ac)
- BREEAM Reduction of noise pollution
Once an ISD has been initially created the '(ac)' marker can be removed
This particular index is based around the structure of the New Construction and RFO schemes.