Royal BAM Group’s Post

Simple question (or is it ?) How do you include Biodiversity and Nature aspects during fit out and construction ? I’m very keen to explore and learn more on this. - or like me your knowledge is not that great and keen to debate and throw a few ideas ….. 💡 around ?

Integrating nature into our built environment has VERY many benefits, and personally something I fully support. I am giving a webinar today looking at how concrete can be used to support this strategy. But its not all about we use our material, embodied biodiversity requires consideration too. Register here to get a link to attend this free webinar to find out more about what the credentials of the UK concrete industry and its supply chain, and the industries renewed focus for supporting the natural environment: Supporting biodiversity and nature using concrete

Discover the full potential of your land development project with Sebago Technics. Understanding the lay of the land is key, and when it comes to factors like vernal pools, every detail matters. These unique natural features, though often unnoticed, have significant influence. Vernal pools are more than just seasonal ponds - they impact your plans for personal, commercial, or ecological development. Explore our most recent findings to navigate these complexities and ensure your project harmonizes with nature. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eMUTS4fR

We are halfway the Dutch #ICPRMemberWeek: The Dutch ‘guidance to water quality and nature’ is going to help Rijkswaterstaat and other Dutch water managers strengthen the biotope network along the Rhine and other large waters. Based on detailed species knowledge, the guidance provides design requirements for various habitats (biotopes). This helps kadedrrichtlijn water #KRW en Programmatische Aanpak Grote Wateren (PAGW) projects to do what we do as good as possible!   Rijkswaterstaat is carrying out many projects in the Rhine branches to improve ecological water quality. Many projects are aimed at creating missing habitat, and all projects together contribute to strengthening the biotope network along the Rhine.   Marieke de Lange: ‘Project practice taught us that it is sometimes difficult to translate ecological goals into concrete design requirements. To this end, a guide construction was published in 2020 for WFD design teams in Rijkswaterstaat Oost-Nederland (WFD water type R7). That turned out to be a great success. So soon the call came for similar guidance for the other large waters in the Netherlands'.   That call was heeded, and Rijkswaterstaat has now extended the guidance for lakes, the salt and brackish waters and the Meuse and lower rivers. The guidance document is intended for all projects aimed at improving ecological water quality.   The guidance documents focus on ecological requirements of guide species and their habitats. Guide species are animal and plant species that are models for species with similar habitat requirements. The guidance makes clear the design requirements for a habitat. These include requirements for flow velocity, water depth, dryness and flood duration. And we use the design requirements for the guide species together to optimize the design of a measure. Curious? 👉 https://lnkd.in/eqY7hkfp #OurRhine Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat ;   Photo credits: Blik onder Water

BNG for smaller sites – what do you need to know? From April this year it became mandatory for small developments to show a biodiversity net gain. A small development is classed as a residential development of nine houses or fewer, on less than a hectare of land. The BNG process is essentially the same whether it’s a small or a large development but, for small projects, there is a simplified version of the statutory biodiversity metric calculation tool. It’s a good idea to consider BNG right at the start of any project. Engaging early with environmental experts means we can appraise your land and put forward practical, nature-based solutions that will enable you to gain consent, develop your site and grow your business. Our work often makes all the difference when it comes to solving consenting challenges on your land. Our ecologist Val Gateley says: “Between April and October is a really key time for ecologists to appraise a site because you get a very good idea of the native species that are there and the habitats that would be impacted by development. “You want as much information as possible right at the start of any build project so you can find the path of least resistance. We can give guidance on the best areas to position depending on the habitats, for instance, while my colleague Lisa Sawyer looks at water management. “Knowing about the ecology of a site has never been as important as it is today, especially as ecology issues can often delay or stop building work. It is the future of good nature-led design.” * Do get in touch if you've got a BNG project you would like to discuss. From our headquarters in Chester, our highly experienced team work on residential and commercial projects across the UK. #BNG #BiodiversityNetGain #ecology #landscapearchitecture #SUDS #watermanagement #civilengineer #planning #development #project #business

APWA Florida Friends - Don't forget to submit a presentation for the APWA Florida Chapter Expo on April 28 - May 1, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. Submitting to present a Technical Session at the Expo is easy! Click here for the APWA Florida Online Call for Presentations Form. Please note: the submission deadline for 2025 abstracts is October 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm EST. This year’s EXPO theme is Building Legacies and underscores the long-lasting impact public works professionals have on their communities. Public works professionals are tasked with designing, constructing, and maintaining essential infrastructure that not only serve current residents but also shape the lives of future generations. Their work goes beyond immediate functionality; it involves envisioning sustainable solutions that promote environmental stewardship, enhancing quality of life, and fostering economic growth. By prioritizing innovation, collaboration, and community engagement, public works professionals lay the foundation for resilient, thriving communities, ultimately creating a legacy of progress and prosperity that endures for years to come. In the spirit of building legacies, we’ve created four tracks that focus on the qualities that can help us build strong legacies in our communities. •      Cultivating Relationships: People Management, Workforce Development, Communication, DEI •      Dreaming Beyond the Ordinary: Innovation and New Technology •      Motivating the Next Generation: Young Professional Track •      Turn Planning into Action: Constructed Projects (all types) But don’t feel limited by these topics, we are still interested in our other public works related topics. Also please note, this year we are offering both 30min and 60min presentation slots.   Other Themes •            Asset Management •            Construction/Project Management •            Emergency Management •            Environmental Sustainability/Resiliency •            Facilities Management •            Fleet Services Management •            Grounds, Park, and Urban Forestry Management •            Leadership •            Professional Development •            Solid Waste Management •            Transportation (Bike/Pedestrian) •            Utilities/Public Right-of-Way Management •            Water Resources: Stormwater/Flood Control •            Water/Wastewater

Together with Birgit Farstad Larsen, CEO of COWI Norway, I share some thoughts on the new "Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)" regulation in the UK in Teknisk Ukeblad today. The new law aims to ensure that all new development improves biodiversity overall. The system is based on a credit system for nature compensation. Suppose a natural area, such as a forest, is destroyed for a development project. The developer must compensate for the loss in the same location or fund a nature rehabilitation project elsewhere through a taxation scheme. The new law is relevant and inspiring at a time when the loss of nature and biodiversity is a significant challenge. It is an example of how regulatory programs may ensure that growth and development do not come at the expense of nature. Will this approach inspire policymakers in Norway or other countries? There are good reasons to learn from our friends over in Britain.

Kelp reforestation using "green gravel" achieves up to 12% deployment success rate off the coast of Portugal. As the authors state: "Given that these are the first attempts at reforesting with green gravel in southern Europe, an exposed coastline, achieving an initial deployment success rate of up to 12% should be considered a significant achievement... These promising outcomes support both the green gravel methodology and the use of L. ochroleuca for reforestation of the Portuguese coastline."

With the busy season upon us and lots of exciting developments in the pipeline, it seems like a fantastic time to re-introduce ourselves and invite you to explore the many ways we are able to help you with your next project. 🌱 Who Are We? 🌱 Luscinia Ecology is an established ecology consultancy, dedicated to helping planners, property developers, and house builders make sustainable impacts within the wider Bristol area. We are a small, Bristol based team of ecologists committed to providing expert advice, innovative solutions, and hands-on support for your projects. With over a decade of experience in ecology and environmental management, our team have worked extensively within the planning system, assisting clients from land purchase, through to submission, and post-construction monitoring. 🍃 Our Services 🍃 For Planners, Developers, Housebuilders, Strategic Planners and Land Buyers, we are here to demonstrate that ecology is not only a compliance matter, but can be collaborated with to deliver wider project and environmental gains. • Environmental Consultancy: Offering expert guidance on sustainable practices and regulatory compliance. • Ecological Surveys: Assessing the ecological value of your land. • Biodiversity Net Gain: Undertaking full net gain assessments and offering pre-land purchase screen advice. •Protected Species Surveys: Covering all aspects of protected species survey and mitigation. 🌎 Join Us on Our Journey 🌎 Whether you're a Planner, Developer, Housebuilder or just passionate about innovative solutions to sustainability, we invite you to connect with us for industry updates, tips on getting the most out of your project, and local opportunities to get involved with making Bristol a greener place to live!🌿 If you’d like to know more, we’d love to hear from you. Please visit our website www.luscinia-ecology.co.uk or drop any questions you may have in the comments section below. #BristolEcology #EnvironmentalConsultancy #SustainableDevelopments  

Rother District Council is currently consulting on a new local plan, the Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 Draft (Regulation 18) version.   While the proposed draft strategic policies relating to the distribution and delivery of housing, employment floorspace and other non-residential development across the district largely remains the same as that under the old plan, the draft detailed policies on the environmental, energy and sustainability requirements for new development are more onerous and will likely lead to more information being required to support planning applications for new development and more post planning conditions to ensure these standards are met.    Examples include a new requirement under the draft local plan for ecology surveys and reports to be submitted for qualifying new development to demonstrate that it will achieve 20% biodiversity net gain and that it has had regard to the objectives of the East Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy. This is more onerous than the nationally prescribed 10% biodiversity net gain requirement that currently needs to be demonstrated by qualifying developments.   Energy statements will be required under the new local plan to be submitted in support of new development to demonstrate how they will achieve net zero building standards and major developments will be required to demonstrate that whole life carbon analysis has been applied in designing the scheme. To ensure that the sustainability of development is considered at every phase, draft new local plan policies require for the consideration of embodied and operational carbon and waste from design through to demolition of development.    If adopted, it is likely the new standards will require for additional planning conditions to be placed on planning permissions to ensure compliance and in some instances, post construction assessments will be secured by condition to determine compliance.    The consultation will close on Tuesday 23rd July 2024 at 5pm. Please contact us at The Rural Planning Practice on 01580 201888 or office@therpp.co.uk if you would like us to make representations on your behalf.    #rother #eastsussex #localplanning