LE 02 Ecological value of site and protection of ecological features

(all buildings)

Number of credits available	Minimum standards
2	No

Aim

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.

Assessment criteria

This issue is split into two parts:

Ecological value of site (1 credit)
Protection of ecological features (1 credit)

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

One credit - Ecological value of site

Land within the assessment zone is defined as 'land of low ecological value' using either:

1.a

The BREEAM checklist (Table 53) for defining land of low ecological value (see Checklists and tables)

1.b

A suitably qualified ecologist (SQE) 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).

One credit - Protection of ecological features

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).

In all cases, the principal contractor is required to construct ecological protection recommended by the SQE, prior to any preliminary site construction or preparation works (e.g. clearing of the site or erection of temporary site facilities).

Checklists and tables

BREEAM checklist for defining land of low ecological value

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 53: BREEAM checklist for defining land of low ecological value

ID	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? The appropriate statutory body Nature or conservation groups.	❑	❑
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 http://www.protectedplanet.net/ Appropriate statutory body websites Maps that show specific sites and provide information on local policies relating to that site.	❑	❑
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: http://www.protectedplanet.net Appropriate statutory body websites Maps that show specific sites and provide information on local policies relating to that site.	❑	❑
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: Woodland (e.g. high forest, coppice, scrub)* Water courses (e.g. rivers, streams or canals) Wetlands (e.g. swamps, marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas, tidal flats, near-shore marine areas, mangroves, coral reefs, and human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and salt pans) Grassland (e.g. steppe, prairie, pampas, meadow, veld, campos, savannah, heathland, bogs, etc.) Dwarf shrub habitat (e.g. heathland, moorland, maquis) Arid, semi-arid desert* Any other habitats considered to have ecological value.	❑	❑
Q5	Are any of the following features present within or on the boundary of the construction zone? Mature or semi-mature trees Mature hedgerow or mature planting marking a boundary (field hedgerows over 1m tall and 0.5m wide)**** Existing buildings (occupied or derelict) that may provide shelter for wildlife.	❑	❑
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.’

Compliance notes

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
CN3	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: Trees of over 100mm trunk diameter, stands of trees, and trees of significant ecological value, are protected by barriers. Barriers must prohibit construction works in the area between itself and the tree trunk. The minimum distance between the tree trunk and barriers must be either the distance of branch spread or half tree height, whichever is the greater. Trees are protected from direct impact and from severance or asphyxiation of the roots. Coastal developments, watercourses, wetland areas, areas of freshwater and known groundwater wells should be protected by cut-off ditches and site drainage to prevent run-off to minimise risk of pollution, silting or erosion. Fenced exclusion zones should be maintained around all mangrove stands (landward side) that are being retained to minimise the risk of workforce machinery damage of these sensitive habitats. Activity on the seaward side of mangroves should be avoided where possible and closely monitored and controlled. Confirmation is required that mangrove stands would not be exposed to prolonged drought or waterlogging from changes in water levels as a result of construction activities. Other ecological features and natural areas requiring protection must either have barriers erected and be protected, or, when remote from site works or storage areas, be protected with a prohibition of construction activity in the vicinity.
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.
CN3.4	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.
CN4	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: Represent sound industry practice Report and recommend correctly, truthfully and objectively Be appropriate given the local site conditions and scope of works proposed Avoid invalid, biased and exaggerated statements. Additionally, written confirmation from the third party verifier that they comply with the definition of a SQE is required.

Methodology

None.

Evidence

Criteria	Interim design stage	Final post-construction stage
All	A completed copy of Table 53 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: The boundary of the site and the construction zone has not been altered Where applicable, all existing ecological features still remain.

Criteria

Interim design stage

Final post-construction stage

All

A completed copy of Table 53 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:

The boundary of the site and the construction zone has not been altered
Where applicable, all existing ecological features still remain.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Appropriate statutory body

This refers to the statutory or legal organisation, or entity, whose duty it is to carry out the planning approval function for the development area.

Assessment zone

For the purpose of this BREEAM issue the assessment zone is defined as any land on the site which is being developed (and therefore disturbed) for buildings, hardstanding, soft landscaping, site access, plus a 3m wide zone measured outward from the boundary around these areas irrespective of site boundary. It also includes any areas used for temporary site storage and buildings. If it is not known exactly where buildings, hardstanding, site access and temporary storage will be located it must be assumed that the construction zone is the entire site.

Ecology related subject

Depending on the ecological content (minimum 60%), the following degrees might be considered relevant: Ecology, Biological Sciences, Zoology, Botany, Countryside Management, Environmental Sciences, Marine and Freshwater Management, Earth Sciences, Agriculture, Forestry, Geography, Landscape Management.

Features of ecological value

Features requiring protection during site clearance and construction to maintain their presence and ecological value, which include as a minimum:

Trees determined to be of value using one of the following measures
1. More than 10 years old (or where age is unknown where the trunk diameter is over 100mm)
2. Tree of significant ecological value as defined in BS 5837: 2012 by the SQE or qualified arboriculturalist
Hedges and natural areas requiring protection
Watercourses and wetland areas
Nesting or roosting opportunities for birds or bats within the building.

Note: 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.

Suitably qualified ecologist (SQE)

An individual achieving all the following items can be considered to be 'suitably qualified' for the purposes of compliance with BREEAM:

Holds a degree or equivalent qualification in ecology or a related subject comprising a significant ecology component.
Is a practising ecologist, with a minimum of three years relevant experience (within the last five years). Such experience must clearly demonstrate a practical understanding of factors affecting ecology in relation to construction and the built environment; including, acting in an advisory capacity to provide recommendations for ecological protection, enhancement and mitigation measures. The relevant experience must relate to the country that the assessment is being carried out in.

Other information

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.

Relating ecology reports to BREEAM

Guidance on relating ecology reports to BREEAM is available in Guidance Note 13 on the BREEAM website.