BREEAM Site Selection
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[edit] Aim and benefits
To encourage the reuse of land that has been previously developed and discourage the use of previously undeveloped land for building.
To encourage positive action to use contaminated land that otherwise would not have been remediated and developed.
To avoid land which has not been previously disturbed.
[edit] When to consider
RIBA Plan of Work 2013 - Stage 1: Preparation of Brief - as early as possible.
Once the site has been selected there is nothing that can be done to change the situation.
A site investigation report will be done at the earliest stage and should indicate if there is any contamination. But often it has already been decided that this is the site whether it is contaminated or not.
These credits are very difficult to choose to achieve as they are mainly situational.
[edit] Step by step guidance
[edit] Previously developed land credit
Was the site previously developed?
An early Site investigation report will detail this but often it is known by the design team from the onset.
As evidence, previous use will likely be detailed in the Design statement or Site investigation report. The Ecologists habitat survey may demonstrate previous land use. A Geotechnical and Geo-environmental interpretative report or Ground investigation report would also detail any previous uses.
The 2011 assessment asked that the previous development to have been within the last 50 years. It is common that the land has clearly had a previous land use but if not, historical maps can be used.
The design team must demonstrate that more than 75% of the site was previously used. The most straight forward method to demonstrate this is with an existing site plan showing the site boundary and the area of previously used land and the area of proposed development. Separate drawings can be used. The areas in m2 must be detailed so the 75% can be calculated.
There is a compliance note in relation to education assessments and use of playing fields.
[edit] Contaminated land credit
It is unlikely that a site would be chosen because it is contaminated but where there is a choice hopefully the client would choose it.
A ground investigation report or Geotechnical and Geo-environmental interpretative report would demonstrate that there is contamination.
A specialist in contamination would then likely compile a separate report or section on the contamination and the remediation measures required.
The ecology report may also detail some contamination as some non-native invasive species are contaminants. Currently the two species which currently qualify are Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed. The DEFRA website provides more information on these species. 2014 assessments can approach the BRE if they find a species which acts as a barrier to development and see if it can qualify. The ecologist would likely be able to advise on the appropriate removal of invasive species.
The specialist report with the remediation instructions should be used as evidence but to achieve the credit the remediation must be carried out. For the design stage assessment, the team must confirm that the remediation is to be carried out as the specialist has instructed.
[edit] Questions to ask while seeking compliance
Was the site previously developed?
How much of the site was previously developed?
What was the previous land use?
How long ago was it developed?
Is there likely to be contamination?
Has the ground been investigated?
Has a habitat survey or environmental impact assessment been carried out?
[edit] Tools and resources
DEFRA website e.g.- https://www.gov.uk/contaminated-land
SEPA e.g.- https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/biodiversity/invasive-non-native-species/
[edit] Tips and best practice
Make sure it is very clear for the auditor that 75% of the proposed site is on previously developed land.
[edit] Typical evidence
(All of these documents are not required).
Design statement
Geotechnical and Geo-environmental interpretative report
Confirmation of remediation
[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)
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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.