Balancing biodiversity with construction

By Megan Poole and Gary Walpole, National Federation of Roofing Contractors. 

Learn how to work alongside these new rules and regulations for construction projects in England.  

It can be easy to assume that England’s new rules intended to protect and restore the environment's biodiversity are simply a nuisance, but the building industry has more stakes in the environment than it might seem at first. From a logistical perspective, the ecosystems that are protected in the name of biodiversity are also key for the health of the humans working in and around them. They often stabilize things like the soil and the climate and purify resources like water, making it easier to live and work in those areas.  

From a more emotional perspective, accounting for biodiversity when building can help you sell, especially with residential projects, due to the aesthetic value they add. Learn about these new rules and how to adjust your processes to keep the balance between building and biodiversity from the experts here at the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. 

All major developments in England will be required by law to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity under new rules that came into force today. The biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirement, introduced through the Environment Act 2021, is a world first, and is key to fulfilling the government’s target to halt species decline by 2030. 

It will now be a legal obligation for developers to consider the environmental impact of their development and ensure the biodiversity is improved compared to before. Installing green and brown roofs can help a project achieve BNG, especially on urban sites where there can be limited space at ground level. 

The change in biodiversity is measured using a metric tool. These metrics are only concerned with habitats and do not take protected species, like nesting birds, into consideration. However, BS 8683:2021 Process for designing and implementing BNG — specifications state that biodiversity enhancement measures that supplement the project’s BNG targets, and are outside the scope of a metric, should be described and where possible quantified. Examples would be installing bird nest boxes or bat roosts within a housing development. 

Therefore, it is important to consider installing nest boxes or bat roosts as an added service for clients. There is a wide range of pitched roof bespoke nest boxes and roosts available that fit within the ridge, eaves, directly under a roof’s eaves/gable or even in the wall. 

Original article source: National Federation of Roofing Contractors.