BIODIVERSITY


Value engineering must now focus on optimising the delivery of green features, not questioning whether they are required. This might involve measures such as relocating a detention pond to avoid contaminated ground, selecting plant species that sequester carbon while supporting local ecology, or using green roof build-up as part of the thermal performance strategy to reduce mechanical plant loads.


A call for early integration For NHS trust leaders and estate managers, the clear recommendation is to involve civil and structural engineers at the earliest possible stage of master-planning. BNG should be treated as a baseline design requirement, not a late- stage problem to be solved with off-site credits or biodiversity banking. The 10 per cent mandate represents an opportunity to


create healthcare estates that deliver genuine ecological value while enhancing clinical outcomes and operational resilience. However, realising this potential requires moving beyond compliance checklists to genuine integration of engineering and ecological design. The engineering toolkit is proven: sensitive foundation design protects existing trees, SuDS delivers cost-neutral drainage solutions, strategic load path management accommodates green roofs without carbon penalties, and circular economy principles unlock the value in existing assets. With these methods now being employed across healthcare projects, what is required is the commitment to embed these approaches from the strategic brief stage; ensuring that the 10 per cent Biodiversity Net Gain is achieved through smart civil and structural design, not costly last-minute interventions.


Perega acted as structural engineers on the £30m transformation of Queen Mary’s Hospital in Siducp.


The implementation phase of the BNG mandate will


test whether the healthcare sector can operationalise ecological thinking within the constraints of existing estates. With early engineering engagement and strategic integration, NHS trusts can meet this regulatory requirement while building more resilient, patient-centred and sustainable healthcare environments.


References 1 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-biodiversity- net-gain


2 https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/nature- inspired-healing-at-midland-metropolitan-university- hospital/?v=b870c45f9584


3 https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/articles/video/ university-hospitals-dorset-become-first-nhs-trust-launch-think- big-project


4 https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter- article/focus-health-care-leaders-seek-create-healing- environments-patients


5 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6143402/ 6 https://www.archdaily.com/941540/maggies-leeds-centre- heatherwick-studio


Ben Gilham


Ben is a graduate structural engineer at Perega and a graduate of the University of Sheffield with a dual degree in Structural Engineering and Architecture. He provides a unique multidisciplinary perspective on projects. Ben focuses on the sustainable reuse of existing structures and circular economy principles to meet BNG requirements.


September 2026 Health Estate Journal 67


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