BUILDING FABRIC 57
can be easily installed in place of a standard brick. These feature holes of varying sizes to provide resting space for different species of solitary bee. Solitary bees lay their eggs in these cavities before sealing the entrance with mud and chewed-up vegetation. The offspring then emerge in spring and the cycle repeats. Wienerberger’s range, in partnership with
Habibat, is produced in the UK and can be faced in any brick type or stone, regardless of manufacturer, stone finish or suitable for render - and roofing eco-habitats are also available. All solutions can be made bespoke to suit individual requirements for each individual project.
EXPLORING DEMAND Although there is currently no quantitative value assigned to Eco-habitats, they are still anticipated to be included within the Net Gain Report in the Environment Bill. All of the solutions listed above provide a fuss-free and low-maintenance way to help achieve ecological enhancements on developments, but the legislative requirement for biodiversity net gains is not the only driver which is increasing the popularity of integrated wildlife boxes. With CSR firmly on the agenda for all
organisations, Eco-habitats already form an important part of sustainability strategies for many developers. Wildlife is in a state of decline across the UK, with 41% of species declining in numbers since 1970. Bats have fallen dramatically in numbers over the last 50 years and our most common bat, the common pipistrelle, has declined by almost 70%. House Sparrows have declined by around 50% in the same period and are now red-listed as a species of high conservation concern. The number of swifts fell by 53% between 1995 and 2016, and starlings by 66% since the mid-1970s – also red-listed as a bird of high conservation concern.
It is also marketing tool. As home-buyers
and commercial property tenants become more environmentally aware, developments that support local wildlife will become more attractive. There is also an argument that COVID-19 has brought people closer to nature and, in particular, more switched on to their personal outdoor spaces. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) recorded a 69% increase in web traffic between March and May 2020 compared with the same period in 2019, including a tenfold increase in view of ‘build a bird box’ web page.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Biodiversity is no longer a ‘nice to do’ in new developments. Recent changes in planning frameworks mean Biodiversity Net Gain is now a critical requirement in order to secure planning consent for new developments. Under the NPPF, developers are at risk of not securing planning consent if they do not integrate biodiversity improvements within their design. There is currently no quantitative value
assigned to Eco-habitats through Natural England Metric 3.0, but wider biodiversity benefits must also be considered, including the provision of Eco-habitats. That is why project teams are increasingly
turning to these thoughtfully-designed solutions as proactive solutions, creating spaces for wildlife rather than displacing them. Easy to install, low-maintenance and ticking all the boxes for ecological enhancement, it’s clear to see why these discreet solutions are proving increasingly popular throughout the value chain on new developments across the UK. Although Wienerberger’s solutions have been on the market for 15 years or more, they have been seen by many until now as a necessary addition only when special ecological requirements demand them. Against a backdrop of increased ecological
attention, now is the time for these thoughtfully-designed solutions to be installed as proactive solutions, creating spaces for wildlife rather than replacing them. Download Wienerberger’s specialist report,
The Changing Shape of Biodiversity in the Built Environment – Exploring the Role Of Eco-Habitats in the Drive For Biodiversity Net Gain, for free today. Visit
www.wienerberger.
co.uk/biodiversity-report.html
0161 491 8200
www.wienerberger.co.uk
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