Wildscapes

1.To ensure you are working inline with planning requirements, it is always worth involving an ecology practice from the start. This work must be carried out during specific months of the year, so it is vital to integrate it into the project schedule in order to avoid costly delays before work can start on site. An ecologist will make you aware of any habitats on the development which will need to be protected or relocated. A Phase 1 Habitat Survey provides details about vegetation and wildlife on the site and an ecologist can recommend any future action which needs to be taken. If the survey finds any potential for protected species, such as bats or great crested newts, then further studies and possibly habitat mitigation may be required. It is definitely worth carrying out this survey at the outset of the project before you incur any costs on site.

2. Plan ahead to avoid delays. If protected species are found on site then no work will be permitted on the affected area until they have been moved to a suitable new ‘mitigation’ habitat.  This work can only be carried out at the appropriate time of year and must be undertaken by an ecologist under licence from Natural England/Scottish Natural Heritage or the Countryside Council for Wales, depending on the location.  By consulting an ecologist at the early stages, they can advise on meeting legal requirements in relation to protected species.  There are legal duties, for example, to protect all nesting birds on site, through the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. An ecologist will be able to advise on the laws relating to habitats on a development and how to comply with them, for instance, by scheduling the clearance of vegetation during certain months when nest sites are unoccupied.  As any mitigation work is restricted to certain times of the year, this needs to be taken into account in the planning of a development too.

3. Increase your chance of securing planning approval by embracing the local environment.  Some planning authorities may look more favorably on applications which include evidence that ecology and protection of species have been taken into account. This could include an initial ecology survey, or a more detailed biodiversity plan that encompasses the whole development.  To consider the development in the context of its wider neighbourhood.  Conservation nowadays looks at a whole landscape agenda, so planners and planning consultees, like the Wildlife Trust, may well be looking at the development from a much wider context.

4. Use external areas to gain credits towardsCode for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM ratings. Creating new habitats and improving the area for native species can assist in achieving credits under the Ecology section of the Code for Sustainable Homes and also under the BREEAM accreditation scheme.   BREEAM is not always a requirement, but should be encouraged as best practice and can be applied pre or post construction.  It is always worth considering the sustainable credentials of the development at the start and the BREEAM scheme is a very good mechanism for assessment.

5. Work with a landscape design consultancy to look for positive ways to incorporate green spaces and the creation of habitats into a development.  This will benefit both the natural environment and also increase the appeal of properties.  Research has shown that high quality green space has a significant impact on occupancy levels.  A recent survey demonstrated that buyers of commercial and industrial properties were prepared to pay up to 15 per cent more for developments with high quality green space and it was also found to increase tenancy rates by seven per cent.  Green spaces should be interesting, fun and above all usable – it’s no good having a small patch of turf and a few attractive trees, in a space that no one dare to set foot on!  A good landscape architecture practice will run sessions with the local community to understand what works in that area, what issues there may be and what opportunities.  In this way, any money spent on a bespoke scheme within a development is likely to add value and not be done just for the sake of it!

6. Be aware of the new planning policy guidance documents that have been introduced in relation to flood risk management.  This includes the local Flood Risk Management Strategy.  The lead local flood authority would be able to provide advice and guidance relevant to developments in flood risk areas. With regard to flooding, the Environment Agency produces flood risk maps which indicate whether a site is at risk.

7. Developers need to be aware of the greater emphasis being placed on surface water management and improved promotion of sustainable drainage techniques by the planning system.  As Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) use natural means to mitigate against flooding and pluvial pollution, these are usually based on water retention and infiltration management.  Landscape designers can advise on creation of detention ponds, use of permeable paving and the integration of green roofs and walls to promote rainfall capture.    Many SUDS schemes become an accepted part of the landscape, in as much as they become widely used by the public for leisure and recreation – here a landscape design consultancy can help with turning drainage facilities into environmental assets.

8. Good planning is essential.  The planning stages of a project should identify any major issues that could be governed by regulation.  For example, contaminated soils, run-off and pollution, as well as protected and invasive species.  Getting advice from the appropriate regulator at an early stage is vital to ensure that you stay on the right side of the law.  For very large housing projects, which may be seen to have adverse effects on the environment, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required.  This will identify the potential effects of the development and recommend mitigation measures to eliminate or reduce the predicted effects.  This may be used to help form Planning Conditions or Section 106 agreements.  The local planning authority can advise as to whether an EIA is required and specialist advice would be required if the development requires this level of scrutiny.

9. Create new opportunities to connect people with nature. Local wildlife or community groups are often keen to support wildlife initiatives and volunteers may wish to get involved with the creation of new green spaces.  This helps to generate goodwill in the community and encourage community engagement, as part of preserving the beauty of the development for years to come.

10. It makes sense to work with an environmental consultancy that offer a full service, including ecological surveys, landscape design and landscape architecture, who can advise on specific aspects of the development and help with securing planning.  Having all these services under one roof could save a developer time and money in surveying the habitat, agreeing the landscape design and carrying out the work, including any habitat mitigation.  An experienced environmental consultancy would be able to facilitate discussions between communities, consultees, planners and regulators to ensure that a development has the best possible start in life, for the benefit of its design, construction, sale and the ongoing part it plays in life in the community.