Sustainability Guide

What is Biodiversity, and Why Does it Matter?

Biodiversity means the biological diversity or variety of life. It includes a wide range of living things: from flowering plants to birds, from butterflies to mosses, lichens and even bacteria. It includes common species, those that are under threat, and the wide range of habitats that humans, plants and animals depend on.

The key to protecting and enhancing biodiversity lies in the step from being aware of wildlife and habitats to actively doing something about it. Developers are potentially major deliverers of action for biodiversity. They can help to conserve and enhance biodiversity by safeguarding the most important sites from development, and ensuring there is no net loss in biodiversity in development areas through good planning and organisation.

Biodiversity should be taken into consideration prior to the start of development work and at all stages during the project. Factoring biodiversity into the development process will allow for maximum gain. Tailoring works to complement the local context will enhance the scheme in the eyes of the planning authorities, potential site occupants and local residents. It also makes economic sense, and helps to raise the green profile of the developer. As part of sustainable practice this would increase the marketability of the site.

For further information on the economic benefits see 'Business of Biodiversity', Durham Biodiversity Partnership (1999).

Creating and conserving natural habitats can also lower landscape maintenance costs compared with formal
planting schemes, there are a variety of grant schemes available to provide financial support for the creation of habitats, e.g. native tree planting.
Organisations providing further advice on grants are listed in 'Planning for Biodiversity in North East England', Government Office for the North East, (2000).

The Creation of a New Habitat
© CONE

Within the North East, there are a number of biodiversity strategies at various stages of development:

The Regional Biodiversity Audit (Co-ordinated by English Nature)

Action for Wildlife - The Durham Biodiversity Plan

Newcastle City

Tees Valley

Northumberland National Park

North Tyneside

Gosforth Park - Cramilington Biodiversity Action Plan

Northumberland County

Working Wildlife - The Northumberland Biodiversity Action Plan

Northumbrian Water Biodiversity Strategy

The Durham Biodiversity Action Plan
© DCC

Marshland

Where to get Advice - Local Biodiversity Action Plans

The Rio Earth Summit raised the issue of loss of wildlife and habitats. The UK Government's response was the publication of 'Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan' in 1994. It acknowledged the need for action at the local level. Local Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) projects raise awareness of the need for biodiversity conservation, and help to translate national targets into action for local species and habitats that are under threat or in decline.

Local BAPs are becoming increasingly important in the planning process. This will increase as their aims are integrated into the review of Development Plans. This offers strong support for developments that encourage biodiversity and help meet Local BAP targets.

A developer should use the relevant BAP as the first point of reference. The BAPs identify threatened and valuable species and habitats in the local area. They provide methods and actions that can be included in the development process to ensure existing biodiversity is enhanced and where possible new habitats created. BAPs also contain information on organisations and specialists to approach for advice, as well as reference to other useful documents.

Developers, partnerships, businesses and individuals can work together to develop their own BAPs or Biodiversity Strategies to help achieve the local and regional targets. For example Northumbrian Water has produced and implemented a company Biodiversity Strategy, covering all aspects of the business's operation across the whole of the North East. This includes incorporation within an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (see Aim for Lean Construction), and linkages to local, regional and national biodiversity actions and targets.

Although BAPs are important, they often identify a minority of the region's threatened species. Developers need to be aware that there is a requirement for comprehensive informed assessment of sites.

Wildlife habitats contribute to our quality of life. They create an attractive environment to look at, boost the region's economy, affect the food we eat and the air we breathe, and help to control the climate and environment.
Protecting the variety of wildlife in the region can be enhanced through simple actions. It is easy to forget that equally small actions, such as chopping down a tree or filling in a pond, can have devastating impact.

Choosing a Site to Protect Wildlife and Habitats

The careful selection of sites can avoid or minimise potential threats to wildlife, and can also reduce the costs of expensive delays in the development timetable. Set out below is a list of key considerations and actions that should be considered to minimise negative impact on habitats.

Do not develop on protected areas of environmental value. Development Plans and BAPs will identify areas that contain individual species and habitats of environmental and conservation value.

A diverse range of habitats

Where potential development sites have been identified that include protected or diverse areas, sites or habitats contact English Nature, the Environment Agency, County Council, District Council and Wildlife Trust. Advice is available on how development can be integrated, and on ways to minimise environmental damage and enhance habitats.
Try to involve the local community and interest groups from the start of the process. If possible, get them to help identify what is important in local wildlife terms. Describe the aims of the scheme and how they can get involved in the design, and in future access to and monitoring of the wildlife.
If the development is on or near a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), or could affect protected species, English Nature should be contacted at the start of the development process.
Employ an ecologist to undertake a survey of the site. This will help to identify key areas of ecological value within the site and its surroundings. It will also help to identify the best way of siting a building or structure and the areas where damage can be minimised or the area restored.
Check whether a formal Environmental Assessment is required.

While many species native to Britain are relatively common, between 10 and 20% of native species are considered threatened and over 30% of mosses, lichens and liveworts are threatened or nationally scarce.

22 species of lowland farmland bird have declined in population size and distribution.

There has been a loss on plant diversity in semi-improved grasslands, streamsides and hedgerows.

The number of lakes and ponds has dramatically decreased by over 30% since 1945.

Over 30% of British mammals, and over 50% of dragonflies and butterfly species, have experienced a decline in population in the last 25 years.

How to Design a Biodiverse Environment
Incorporating wildlife-friendly features into design can provide habitats for wildlife to breed or nest, and in turn can be used as marketing features, promoting the scheme and developer as 'wildlife-friendly'.
Pond created in front of building provides habitats
Pond being created in front of building to provide local wildlife habitat
© Ryder Architects

Key Considerations and Actions:

Incorporate wildlife-friendly features into the building's design according to location. Ideas include nesting platforms and boxes and niches in the roof space.
Design the buildings around pockets and corridors of wildlife value in the site, enabling the habitats to connect to surrounding areas of environmental value, providing migratory and transit routes.
Use materials with similar PH values so as not to adversely affect adjoining habitats by leaching.
Try to source materials locally, especially if they help to support the ecology and habitats of the region. This will also reduce travel and support the local economy.

Many species of animals, invertebrates and rare plants within the region are protected by law. The degree of protection varies from species to species and often includes their place of shelter, nesting and rearing. Local BAPs will include reference to documents that provide guidance on local protected species.

Otter / wildlife culvert with friendly grill

Otter Culvert
© Durham Biodiversity Partnership

Some individual trees, or groups of trees, will be protected through Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), designated by the Local Planning Authority. These protect trees and woodlands of landscape and amenity value, factors such as wildlife habitat are not sufficient to warrant a TPO on their own, but will add weight to the case.

Some habitats cannot be replaced or re-created as they have developed over many years, for example ancient woodland, damp herb rich pastures, meadows and some types of wetland. In these cases the conservation and enhancement of the existing habitat in situ is likely to be the most sustainable option.

Wildflower Meadow developed over many years cannot be recreated

Garage Incorporating Nest Boxes
© Durham Biodiversity Partnership

Planning law may require formal Environmental Assessment (EA) if the development is a sizeable one, as part of the Planning Permission. The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999 have significantly increased the number and type of developments which are likely to need formal impact assessment. Preliminary discussions with the Planning Authority about the proposed development provides the opportunity to seek an informal view on whether EA is likely to be required.

Developers should undertake an environmental appraisal, which properly accounts for biodiversity, as an element of all of their development proposals; regardless of the statutory necessity to do so.

Contrary to popular belief, most habitat creation schemes need not be expensive or complex to improve wildlife:

Use native species
Create wetland areas
Plant small woodlands
Plant species-rich grasslands
Plant hedges

all achieve at net gain in local wildlife anf habitats.

Use New Landscape to Create New Habitats

Aim to increase net biodiversity on the site. Where areas of new landscaping are added, for example as part of a residential scheme, careful planning can help to create new habitats. The ideas below help to increase habitats and foster wildlife whilst reducing wastage of water, energy and other resources, reducing pollution and providing an attractive environment.

New plants should be of local provenance where possible and suited to the climate and soil conditions.
They should provide forage for insects and food for birds and animals.
Public areas such as lawns or bedding plants should be chosen carefully to minimise maintenance and maximise diversity. Large areas of mown grass or decorative planting will not support wildlife and should be avoided as far as possible.

Trees and shrubs should be selected with the local landscape architects or specialist and help will be available from the local wildlife trust to create the optimum mix of sizes, foliage density, seasonal air flow, moisture requirements and habitat.

Mixed Plants and Trees
© DCC

Roadside planting should be suited to salting in winter, traffic pollution, and pedestrian access. It should be used to provide screening, visual interest, corridors for wildlife to move within, shelter from wind and noise, and to maintain sight lines.
There is potential for long term cost savings to be made on habitat schemes rather than formally maintained schemes: see 'Maintenance and Horticulture' below.
The Local Authority will be able to provide advice on the potential for attracting grant aid for some habitat works.

Four steps to maximise biodiversity:

Enhance the existing features of natural conservation importance on the site, and avoid damaging the site and its surroundings.
Where damage is unavoidable solutions at an early stage to minimise the negative impact. Incorporate the solutions into the development process. Translocation of protected species will require a licence from English Nature or the DTLR.
Where solutions cannot be found, compensate by restoring the area (for example replacing a woodland habbitat that had be damaged), or as a last resort, relocating or recreating the environment or species (for example the transferral of a newt population to a local pond or replacement of an area of woodland).
Any mitigation measures should be monitored throughout the development process and after the project's completion to ensure it has been successful.

Protect the Environment During Construction

Special care is needed at the construction stage. But the thinking has to start before that. Planning ahead at the consultation stage of the development process, in liaison with the appropriate specialists (for example, bat experts, RSPB, conservation groups), can help to identify ways that biodiversity may be protected. The local BAP should be used as a menu to identify which particular habitats and species need to be protected.

Once the works are under way, a series of practical measures can be put in place:

A code of conduct and good practice for the workforce and subcontractors will ensure that they do not inadvertently damage habitats. It will also help to achieve other sustainable objectives such as reducing wastage of water, energy and other resources, minimising travel and reducing pollution.

The timing of the construction phase can have a major impact on the wildlife and habitats in the area - although hibernation, breeding and migration patterns of local species span the whole of the year, plan and time the different components of the development to ensure any negative impact is minimised.

Identify and safeguard important or protected areas with particularly diverse habitats, such as ponds, decaying tree trunks, mature trees or rocks, before the construction phase begins. This may be as simple as fencing off the area around a decaying tree trunk with open fencing, to allow wildlife to continue to use it throughout the process.

Maintaining existing wildlife corridors during the construction phase, so the animals can continue to live and feed in the site.

Possible measures could include providing bridges or culverts and nesting boxes.

Maintain widllife corridors between spaces

Respect water features: a particular problem nationally, and in the North East, is the draining and filling in of traditional lakes and ponds, leading to a substantial loss in amphibian species.

Such features should be maintained and new ones included in landscape schemes.

Ladycross Quarry Nature Reserve

Look out for the spread of tree roots when planning the siting of development and movement of works vehicles. If tree roots are damaged, particularly mature tree specimens, consider tree surgery.
Sensitive habitats are vulnerable to water borne pollution. Ensure drainage or created overflows do not empty into sensitive habitats such as wetlands, or contain chemicals or salts etc. that could harm the environment. Make sure functioning oil traps are incorporated into the design of storm water overflows. See Do Not Pollute.
Use sustainable urban drainage systems (see Conserve Water Resources), for example porous road and paving surfaces, which allow rainwater to reach local tree roots and features.
Be vigilant about site events that will impact on wildlife and habitats if something untoward occurs; the issue of redress may arise should an incident relating to negligence be traced to your workforce. Such issues include surface water discharges, vehicle washing arrangements, storage tank security and delivery. See Do Not Pollute.

Timber Framed building in landscape setting

Maintenance and Horticulture: once the site is in operational use

Moving on from the design and construction phases, the operational phase too offers many maintenance and horticultural measures that can be introduced to enhance local biodiversity and sustainability:

Allow grass to grow longer, or set aside some land for biodiversity banks.

For example, Philips Components at Durham have adjusted the way their grass areas are managed; amongst the many wildflowers that have emerged are no fewer than 800 specimens of the rare Bee Orchid - now the largest known colony in the North of England.

Incorporate additional native species into the informal landscaping.
Seek to minimise the amount of herbicides used. Weed control around newly planted trees and hedges can be affected by the use of mulches. Consider the impact of any potential herbicide use on adjacent habitats e.g. water courses. Match the product and the manner in which it is used to the objective.
Use biodegradable systemic herbicides (contact the Environment Agency for further information) ideally in the spot treatment method.
Use existing topsoil to help produce naturally nutrient rich grassland.
Use organic mulch, recycled compost or shredded wood instead of virgin peat.
Use indigenous topsoil in areas of ecological interest.
Only artificially improve the fertility of sensitive areas after checking with ecologists.
Create linear features to provide corridors between semi-natural vegetation, such as unmown strips or hedgerows.
Leave hedges bushy and large, with occasional gaps and tall trees; although not the optimum in biodiversity terms, the best profile of a managed hedge is an 'A' shape with a wide base and rounded top to maximise diversity.

Allow hedges to grow out somewhat, to increase their value for wildlife. The incorporation of hedgerow trees and unmown strips adjacent to hedgerows will greatly increase their wildlife value. If managing for a specific species, advice should be sought on appropriate management regimes to favour that organism.
Wherever possible, disturbed soil should be left to recover through natural colonisation. Where this is not practical, assist the process by planting indigenous stock of local origin.
Traditional management techniques can create semi-natural habitats; coppicing in woodland, haymaking in meadows, reedcutting and pollarding in wetlands.
Wildflower mixes are a biodiversity-rich and low maintenance alternative to grass for the rear of properties.
Allow local groups, schools, conservation societies to get involved and use the site for educational and recreational purposes. This has the added benefit in involving them in the maintenance and monitoring of wildlife and habitats, reducing the costs but benefiting the local community.

Site Restoration - Building in Wildlife and Habitats

Many larger projects, such as the winning of minerals or the disposal and treatment of waste, are granted a permission which requires detailed restoration and aftercare.

Such schemes will require careful consideration of wildlife and habitats in the restoration process, focussing on habitat creation during the design of the restoration scheme, in association with local and statutory experts.
Local wildlife and habitats can be enhanced through the planting of native species of trees, shrubs and plants in landscaping works.
Local wildlife - A Fox

Wherever possible, habitat and planting schemes should be tied to the delivery of biodiversity targets highlighted in the local BAPs. A wide range of species are now available to the developer and can be recommended by the local wildlife trust.

Native planting adjacent to Northumberland Wildlife Trust

Rules of Thumb

Conserve and Enhance Biodiversity

Conserve and Enhance Biodiversity