| Number of credits available | Minimum standards |
|---|---|
| 2 | No |
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.
This issue is split into two parts:
The following is required to demonstrate compliance:
| 1 | Land within the assessment zone is defined as 'land of low ecological value' using either: |
| 1.a | The BREEAM checklist (Table 51) for defining land of low ecological value (see Checklists and tables) |
| 1.b | A suitably qualified ecologist (SQESuitably qualified ecologist) who has identified the land as being of 'low ecological value' within an ecological assessment report, based on a site survey. See the BREEAM definition of a Suitably qualified ecologist (SQE). |
| 2 | All existing features of ecological value (see Relevant definitions) within the assessment zone and site boundary area are adequately protected from damage during clearance, site preparation and construction activities (see CN3). |
If the answer to all questions in the checklist is 'no', the land can be defined as having a low ecological value and the credit awarded. Should any of the questions be answered 'yes', the credit can only be awarded on confirmation from a SQE that the site is of low ecological value.
The checklist should be completed by either the BREEAM Assessor, using appropriate evidence submitted by the design team or completed by the design team and submitted to the assessor along with appropriate supporting evidence. The answers to the checklist must be based on an evaluation of the site prior to any site clearance or construction activities (refer to Compliance notes for further details).
Table 51BREEAM checklist for defining land of low ecological value
| IDIntegrated design | Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Have any of the following local organisations identified possible ecological value on the site, all relevant bodies must be contacted before responding to the question?
| ❑ | ❑ |
| Q2 | Is the development within 2km of a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services (e.g. Ramsar site)? The following sources of information are not exhaustive but can be used to check local land use
| ❑ | ❑ |
| Q3 | Is the development within 500m of a designated area? The following sources of information are not exhaustive but can be used to check local land use:
| ❑ | ❑ |
| Q4 | Are any of the following habitats present on, or within 100m of the construction zone? The following list is not exhaustive, but provides guidance on the type of habitat BREEAM defines as having ecological value:
| ❑ | ❑ |
| Q5 | Are any of the following features present within or on the boundary of the construction zone?
| ❑ | ❑ |
Notes: * Woodland is defined as ‘having over 25% canopy cover of trees and shrubs, over a metre high’. ** Broad habitats of rivers and streams are defined as running watercourses ranging from small headwater streams to large rivers. This broad habitat, along with wetlands, includes the open water itself and the vegetation along the water’s edge. *** UNEP confirms deserts are unique, highly-adapted natural ecosystems, both providing life-supporting services on the planet and supporting human populations in much the same ways as in other ecosystems **** A hedge is defined as ‘a line of woody vegetation that has been subject to management so that trees no longer take their natural shape.’ | |||
| Ref | Terms | Description |
|---|---|---|
Shell and core (non-residential and residential institutions only) | ||
CN1 | Applicable assessment criteria | Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix D – Shell and core project assessments for a more detailed description of the shell and core assessment options. |
Residential - Partially fitted and fully fitted | ||
CN2 | Applicable assessment criteria - Single and multiple dwellings | Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix E – Applicability of BREEAM New Construction to single and multiple dwellings, partially and fully fitted for a more detailed description of residential assessment options. |
| General | ||
| Protecting features of ecological value | Where the following features of ecological value exist on site and are being retained they should be protected as detailed below:
| |
CN3.1 | No features of ecological value. See criterion 2 | Where there are no features of ecological value, the credit for the protection of ecological features can only be awarded if the assessment zone is defined as 'land of low ecological value'. |
CN3.2 | Use of a SQE See criterion 1 | Where a SQE is employed and has, using their professional judgment, defined the site as land of low ecological value, this assessment or judgment overrides any assessment determined using the BREEAM checklist for defining land of low ecological value. The SQE must base their findings on data collected from a site visit conducted at appropriate times of the year, when different plant and animal species are evident. The content of the ecology report is to be representative of the existing site's ecology prior to the commencement of initial site preparation works (i.e. before construction). Where the ecologist has not visited the site at the appropriate times the credit cannot be awarded (except in the circumstances indicated below in CN3.4. |
CN3.3 | Features of little or no ecological value. See criterion 2 | If a SQE has confirmed that a feature present on the site has little or no ecological value (see Relevant definitions), or where a tree is deemed to create a significant danger to the public or occupants by a statutory body or qualified arboriculturalist, then that feature may be exempt from the 'protection of ecological features' requirement of this issue. |
| Prior removal of features of ecological value | If features of ecological value have been removed as part of the site clearance activities then the development cannot achieve the credits, even if they are to be replaced as part of a new soft landscape strategy. | |
Site clearance prior to purchase of the site. See criterion 1 | For sites cleared prior to purchase of the site and less than five years before assessment, a SQE should estimate the site's ecological value immediately prior to clearance using available desktop information (including aerial photography) and the landscape type or area surrounding the site. Where it is not possible for the ecologists to determine that the site was of low ecological value prior to the site clearance then the credits must be withheld, i.e. where there is no evidence and therefore justification for awarding the credits. For sites cleared more than five years ago, the ecological value of the site is to be based on the current situation on the basis that within five years, ecological features would have started to re-establish themselves and therefore act as an indicator of the site's ecological value. | |
CN4.1 | Verification of a report written by an ecologist not meeting the BREEAM SQE criteria. See criterion 1.b. | Where a SQE is verifying an ecology report produced by another ecologist who does not meet the SQE criteria, they must, as a minimum, review the report and confirm in writing that they have found it to:
|
None.
| Criteria | Interim design stage | Final post-construction stage |
|---|---|---|
| All | A completed copy of Table 51 signed and dated by the client or a design team member AND EITHER Plans, site photographs and specifications confirming presence, or otherwise, of ecological features and the protection measures specified OR Ecologist’s report highlighting information required in accordance with Guidance Note 13 – Relating ecologist’s report to BREEAM. | As design stage BREEAM Assessor’s site inspection report and photographic evidence OR Ecologist’s report confirming:
|
Very often there is the potential for a site to increase its biodiversity value through appropriate design and management, regardless of whether enhancing biodiversity is required to gain planning consent. This BREEAM assessment issue provides the opportunity to reward those projects that contribute to protecting and enhancing biodiversity, improve living environments and meet environmental objectives.
The SQE's recommendations may have an impact on specifications worked up by other design team members, such as landscape architects or drainage engineers. BREEAM recommends that collaborative input between the ecologist and relevant professionals is sought from the concept stage of the development to highlight opportunities and constraints and allow effective integration of these aspects into the ecologist's recommendations.
The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) contains information from various organisations such as national governments, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, international biodiversity convention secretariats, etc. The data and maps can be used for environmental impact analysis and private sector decision-making when areas of ecological value could be impacted.
Guidance on relating ecology reports to BREEAM is available in Guidance Note 13 on the BREEAM website.
BREEAM International New Construction 2016
Reference: SD233 – Issue: 2.0
Date: 03/07/2017
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