LE 05 - Long term ecology management and maintenance

Ecological enhancement implementation time-frames - KBCN1196

At the Post Construction Assessment stage of large or phased developments, for example, some ecological enhancements may not have been completed. This may include features which are to be added at a later date in the appropriate planting season. In such cases, it is acceptable to provide evidence from the client or principal contractor confirming that the enhancements will be completed within an appropriate period, advised by the SQE.

Ecology and Biodiversity section in the building owner information - KBCN1373

The section on Ecology and Biodiversity, which is included as part of the tenant or building owner information, requires input by the Suitably Qualified Ecologist, even though it is likely to also involve generic information that does not need to be provided by them. The SQE should review all guidance to ensure it is technically correct and appropriate for the specific project. It is at the discretion of the SQE to determine which parts of the section require their input. This section should be written in plain English, so that a non-specialist audience can understand it. The nature of the content will depend on the particular project and space available.

Ecology dependency diagrams - KBCN1456

These dependency diagrams show how ecology prerequisites and credits interact across issues in the ecology category. UK New Construction UK NC ecology dependencies rev 0.0 Applies to:

UK NC 2018.
UK NC V6.

Home Quality Mark HQM V6 ecology dependencies rev 0.0 Applies to:

HQM V6.
HQM One.

30-Aug-2023 - HQM ecology dependency diagram added. Title and scheme applicability updated.

Erratum – UK NC2018 LE 05 – criterion 6 - KBCN1189

Criterion 6 should not have been included in the Planning, liaison, data, monitoring and review management and maintenance credit. Instead it is a requirement of the below credit as follows;

One credit - Landscape and ecology management plan (or similar) development

6. Landscape and ecology management plan, or equivalent, is developed in accordance with BS 42020:2013 Section 11.11 covering as a minimum the first five years after project completion and includes:

6.a: Actions and responsibilities, prior to handover, to give to relevant individuals

6.b: The ecological value and condition of the site over the development life.

6.c: Identification of opportunities for ongoing alignment with activities external to the development project and which supports the aims of BREEAM's Strategic Ecology Framework

6.d: Identification and guidance to trigger appropriate remedial actions to address previously unforeseen impacts

6.e: Clearly defined and allocated roles and responsibilities.

7. The landscape and management plan or similar is updated as appropriate to support maintenance of the ecological value of the site.

Please follow these criteria instead of what is written in the BREEAM UK NC 2018 Manual

Erratum – UK NC2018 LE 05 – Prerequisite criterion 2 - KBCN1123

Clarification of the LE05 prerequisite reference to LE 04 will be made in the next manual re-issue. It will distinguish more clearly between the Route 1 and Route 2 requirements as follows: 2. The following must be achieved according to the route being assessed: 2a. Route 1 - Criteria 3-4 in LE 03 have been achieved. 2b. Route 2 - Criteria 3-4 in LE 03 have been achieved, and at least one credit under LE 04 for 'Change and Enhancement of Ecology' has been awarded.

Guidance Note 35 withdrawn - KBCN1355

Guidance Note 35 has been withdrawn following the publication of v3.0 of the BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 Technical manual. This manual reissue includes all of the information contained in this guidance note in a revised form and supersedes the GN content. As such the GN should not be used for assessment purposes and it has been archived. A copy can be downloaded if required for archive purposes only. Please see KBCN1221 regarding the original Guidance Note 35.

Guidance Note 40 to be updated - KBCN1356

Following the publication of v3.0 of the BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 Technical manual, the wording in Guidance Note 40 differs to some degree from that in the manual. However, the underlying content is the same and the form may still be used to provide evidence for assessments. Alternatively, it may be used to guide the preparation of evidence in a different format if preferred. This GN will be updated to fully correspond to the wording in the reissued manual. Please see KBCN1190 regarding the purpose and scope of Guidance Note 40.

Landscape and Habitat Management Plan – SQE involvement - KBCN0564

Even if not stated explicitly, it is implied and expected that the Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) does verify the content of the Landscape and Habitat Management Plan to ensure that it is consistent with the whole site ecological strategy.

19 Nov 2021 Applicability to UK NC2018 confirmed

Late appointment of the Suitably Qualified Ecologist - KBCN0603

If the Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) is appointed after the commencement of activities on-site and if the other requirements of this issue are met, then credits can still be awarded, provided that:

the SQE confirms that all relevant UK and EU legislation relating to the protection and enhancement of ecology has been complied with during the design and construction process
the SQE confirms that their late appointment has not compromised the adoption of any measures to improve the assessed site's long term biodiversity.

13th Jul 21 Correction - applied to UK NC2018 LE05

Low or no ecological value to manage and maintain - KBCN1383

The purpose of the criteria is to recognise projects that are positively contributing to local ecological value by managing and protecting it as part of the site being assessed. If there is no ecological value to maintain or manage on the site, the purpose of the criteria is not being met and credits cannot be awarded by default. For sites with low ecological value to begin with, the criteria encourage projects to consider ways to create ecological features that support local biodiversity as part of the development (e.g. habitat creation as part of the ecology issues focused on ecological enhancement).

Prerequisite – Alternative compliance for Route 2 - KBCN1475

The purpose of the prerequisite (Criterion 2) is to ensure that there is ecological value to be managed and maintained. To align fully with this aim, the following additional route to meeting the prerequisite can be considered compliant (see 2.c): 2.b: Comprehensive route (Route 2) - Criterion 8 in LE 03 has been achieved, and at least one credit under LE 04 for 'Change and Enhancement of Ecology' has been awarded. [Criterion 6] OR 2.c: Comprehensive route (Route 2) - Criterion 8 in LE 03 has been achieved and one credit under LE 04 for 'Ecological Enhancement' has been awarded [Criteria 4 and 5]

Recognised local ecological expertise - KBCN1193

Organisations/individuals that have the expertise to provide specialist input or guidance to inform the adoption of locally relevant (within the zone of influence) ecological measures that enhance the ecological value of the site. This may include bodies such as: a. Local Government and other statutory relevant organisations. b. Local community groups, organisations, or charities, such as the Wildlife Trusts. c. Local, regional, or national fauna focused groups such as Bug life, RSPB, Bat Conservation Trust etc.

This definition will be added to the relevant technical manuals in their next re-issue.

Relating green roofs to multiple assessments in the same building - KBCN1195

A green roof on top of such buildings can be used to award credits for each assessment for which the Land use and ecology Issues apply. The benefit can be applied to to all assessments undertaken for the building provided all are completed within the appropriate time-frame of a valid ecological survey.

Site wide approach to ecological enhancements - KBCN1194

A site-wide approach to ecological enhancements can be used on sites where multiple buildings share areas of soft landscaping. The enhancement benefits are applied to the individual building assessments within the site. The benefit can be applied on a site-wide basis provided all developments are completed within the appropriate timeframe of a valid ecological survey.

Targeting ecology issues using a mixture of routes - KBCN1306

Where Route 1 is pursued initially and it is subsequently decided that Route 2 should be followed, the Suitably Qualified Ecologist appointed should review all evidence available for the issues already assessed to confirm the actions taken were appropriate. Note: Route 1 and Route 2 are referred to as the 'Foundation' and 'Comprehensive' routes in HQM ONE, respectively.

Verification of an ecology report / information - KBCN1192

If the appointed ecologist does not meet the definition of a ‘suitably qualified ecologist’ (SQE) the report / information submitted to support the assessment must be verified by an individual who does. 1. The individual verifying the report must provide written confirmation that they comply with the definition of a ‘suitably qualified ecologist’. 2. The verifier must provide signed confirmation that they have checked and approved the report. This must clearly reference the report and can be in the form of a signed letter or their printed name and signature on a completed pro-forma. In doing so, they are deemed to confirm that the report: a. represents sound industry practice b. is correctly, truthful, and objective c. is appropriate given the local site conditions and scope of works proposed d. avoids invalid, biased, or exaggerated statements Such confirmation from the verifier must be provided in addition to all other information required by the relevant technical manual and referenced as part of the evidence submitted to demonstrate compliance. It can take a number of years for an ecologist to meet the SQE definition. Verification of information by an existing SQE supports the practical application of the assessment criteria and is in line with industry practice.

13/08/2019 Updated to clarify, in practical terms, what evidence of verification will be considered acceptable.

New Construction / UK / 2018 / 08 Land Use and Ecology /