You are here: 11.0 Land Use and Ecology > LE 04 Enhancing site ecology

LE 04 Enhancing site ecology

Number of credits available	Minimum standards
Building type dependent	No

Aim

To encourage actions taken to enhance the ecological value of the site as a result of development.

Assessment criteria

This issue is split into three parts:

Ecologist's report and recommendations (1 credit)
Increase in ecological value (1 credit)
Simple buildings specific (1 credit)

The following is required to demonstrate compliance for:

One credit - Ecologist's report and recommendations

(Except buildings on HM Prison sites where two credits are available for compliance with criteria 1, 2 and 3)

A suitably qualified ecologist (SQE) has been appointed by the client or their project representative by the end of the Preparation and Brief stage (RIBA Stage 1 or equivalent) to advise on enhancing the ecology of the site at an early stage.
The SQE has provided an Ecology Report with appropriate recommendations for the enhancement of the site’s ecology at Concept Design stage (RIBA Stage 2 or equivalent). The report is based on a site visit/survey by the SQE (see also CN3.1).
The early stage advice and recommendations of the Ecology Report for the enhancement of site ecology have been, or will be, implemented in the final design and build.

One credit - Increase in ecological value

(All building types except those on HM prison sites)

The criteria of the first credit are met.
The recommendations of the Ecology Report for the enhancement of site ecology have been implemented in the final design and build, and the SQE confirms that this will result in an increase in ecological value of the site, with an increase of six plant species or greater (refer also to Compliance note CN3.5 for alternative means of compliance).
The increase in plant species has been calculated using the BREEAM LE 03/LE 04 calculator, using actual plant species numbers.

One credit - Simple buildings only (see also CN2)

The project team has sought recommendations from recognised ‘local’ ecological expertise and generic guidance in the form of published guidance documents, information leaflets to inform the adoption of locally relevant ecological measures that enhance the ecological value of the site. These measures may include:
1. Planting of native species or those with a known attraction or benefit to local wildlife
2. Adoption of horticultural good practice (e.g. no or low use of residual pesticides)
3. Installation of bird, bat and/or insect boxes at appropriate locations on the site.
Only native floral species or those with a known attraction or benefit to local wildlife can be considered for the purpose of enhancing the ecological value of the site.

Checklists and tables

None.

Compliance notes

Ref	Terms	Description
Applicable assessment criteria
Shell and core
CN1	Applicable assessment criteria	Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix D – BREEAM UK New Construction and Shell and Core Project Assessments for a more detailed description of the above shell and core assessment options.
Simple buildings
CN2	Applicable assessment criteria	Criteria 1 to 6 are applicable (2 credits) OR Criterion 7 is applicable (1 credit)
CN2.1	Local expertise See criterion 7.	The following clarifies the requirement for criterion 7. Guidance may be sought from bodies such as The Wildlife Trusts, the Royal Horticultural Society, etc. to inform the adoption of locally relevant ecological measures that enhance the ecological value of the site.
General
CN3	Early stage involvement from the SQE See criterion 1.	The role of the SQE during the Preparation and Brief stage (RIBA Stage 1 or equivalent) will be to advise on early stage site layout and development density decisions so that opportunities to enhance site ecology are maximised. SQE involvement at the Concept Design stage (RIBA Stage 2 or equivalent) will be necessary to provide more detailed ecological recommendations (see Relevant definitions) based on the outline design.
CN3.1	Timing of ecologist's survey and report See criterion 2.	The suitably qualified ecologist must carry out site surveys of existing site ecology, on which their report is based (or to provide verification where the report is prepared by others) at the Concept Design stage (RIBA Stage 2 or equivalent) in order to facilitate and maximise potential ecological enhancement.
CN3.2	Appropriate recommendations See criterion 2.	Appropriate recommendations for enhancing the ecological value of the site are to include, and go beyond, compliance criteria for all current EU and UK legislation relating to protected species and habitats. These recommendations may include ecological recommendations as detailed in the Relevant Definitions.
CN3.3	Guidance for ecologists and assessors	Guidance on relating ecology reports to BREEAM was provided in BREEAM New Construction 2011 Appendix F. This information will be available in a Guidance Note to be provided on the BREEAM website.
CN3.4	Plant species See criterion 5.	Native floral or plant species contributing to local, regional and/or UK Priority Species/Habitats, or those species specified by the SQE with a known attraction or benefit to local wildlife can be considered for the purpose of increasing the number of species on-site, as well as general enhancement. The planting area, density and mixture of different species must be specified with input from both the SQE and the landscape architect (where employed), to address the following three points: The enhancement of the ecological value of the site The best possible chance of establishment and long term survival of the species within the habitat Links to and support of the local ecosystem beyond the site boundary.
CN3.5	Increase in ecological value See criterion 5.	BREEAM uses plant species richness as an indicative measure of ecological value of the assessed site. The second credit is achieved on the basis that an increase in ecological value post development is achieved, compared to the value of the site pre-development. Where the SQE identifies that an increase in the ecological value of the site can be achieved without meeting the target of an increase of six plant species the credit can be awarded if there is clear justification which addresses the following three points: The enhancement of the ecological value of the site The best possible chance of establishment and long term survival of the species within the habitat Links to and support of the local ecosystem beyond the site boundary. The BREEAM assessor must rely on the professional judgement of the SQE when determining compliance on this issue.
CN3.6	Infill construction on existing sites with limited space for ecological enhancements or overriding security requirements See criterion 1.	Where it is not possible to implement ecological enhancements within the construction zone due to overriding security issues, or where space for ecological enhancements within the zone is severely limited, ecological enhancements made to other areas of the site can be taken into account and used to determine the number of BREEAM credits achieved. These enhancements must be made within the boundary of the wider existing development and be planned and commissioned on a similar timescale to the assessed development. Examples of instances where this Compliance note may apply include new ‘infill’ building developments within existing HM prison sites, further and higher education campuses, mental health establishments, retail or business parks.

Methodology

For the methodology used to calculate the increase in plant species refer to the Methodology section in BREEAM issue LE 03 Minimising impact on existing site ecology – Methodology

Evidence

Criteria	Interim design stage	Final post construction stage
All	One or more of the appropriate evidence types listed in The BREEAM evidential requirements section can be used to demonstrate compliance with these criteria.
6	A completed copy of the BREEAM LE 03/LE 04 calculator	As per interim design stage. For large mixed use or multi-building developments, where the whole site has not been completed and ecological enhancements have not yet been added, or where features are being added at a later date in an appropriate planting season: evidence from the client or principal contractor confirming any planting will be completed within 18 months from completion of the development.
6	Documentary evidence supporting the data used to complete the Calculator tool.	As per interim design stage.
7	Refer to generic evidence requirement above	For large mixed use or multi-building developments, where the whole site has not been completed and ecological enhancements have not yet been added, or where features are being added at a later date in an appropriate planting season: evidence from the client or principal contractor confirming any planting will be completed within 18 months from completion of the development.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Ecological recommendations

Ecological recommendations are defined as measures adopted to enhance the ecology of the site. Measures may include but are not limited to:

The planting of locally appropriate native species or non-native species with a known attraction or benefit to local wildlife.
The adoption of horticultural good practice (e.g. no, or low, use of residual pesticides).
The installation of bird, bat and/or insect boxes at appropriate locations on the site.
Development of a full Biodiversity Management Plan including avoiding clearance/works at key times of the year (e.g. breeding seasons).
The proper integration, design and maintenance of Sustainable Drainage systems (SuDS) (such as rain gardens), green roofs, green walls, community orchards, community allotments etc.

Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE)

Refer to BREEAM issue LE 02 Ecological value of site and protection of ecological features.

Other information

Flora Locale (www.floralocale.org) may be a useful site for finding suppliers of British flora.

Biological Records Centres and the National Biological Network collate data on species findings for the UK. Design teams, assessors and ecologists can support the collation of species data by providing survey records from the assessed development to the local Biological Records Centre (www.brc.ac.uk/irecord) or nationally to the National Biological Network.