16 THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE


ONE SUCH WAY OF MAKING A POSITIVE CHANGE IS PREVENTING CONTAMINANTS LEFT ON ROADS FROM BEING WASHED INTO WATERWAYS AND SURROUNDING THE SURROUNDING HABITATS


in place to treat it beforehand. Housebuilders, working in conjunction with highways engineers and water management specialists, can use the simple index approach (SIA) to help determine whether the proposed SuDS provide adequate mitigation against pollution hazards like tyre rubber, oils and heavy metals from vehicles.


Developers should also look to combine nature-based solutions and SuDS in both retrofit and new construction proects. Trees and green areas, for example, offer shade, amenity, natural air conditioning and refuge opportunities for wildlife. SuDS solutions, such as bioretention areas, rain gardens, swales and tree pits, take runoff from hard surfacing. This can then make developments more amenable, beautifying spaces for people, making them more aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable to live, work and play in.


BUILDING UP BIODIVERSITY Continuing in this vein, not only should water be cleansed, but the local


WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK


ecology should be assessed prior to any construction work, and then continually monitored to ensure that the development does not negatively impact on wildlife. This is a key requirement under the Biodiversity Net Gain regulation, and housebuilders will need to prove that their sites will provide a 10% uplift in biodiversity. Alongside this, habitat guidance in CIRIA’s SuDS Manual states that any new SuDS scheme should link with other local and/or regional habitats to help build and enhance habitat connectivity.


There are several ways to integrate wildlife mitigation measures across developments and roads connecting to these places, from wildlife kerbs and guide tunnels to escape ladders that can help mammals and amphibians navigate road networks safely.


One instance of good biodiversity management that ACO Water Management was involved in is a new 550m carriageway in Wokingham that connects a new housing estate to the


wider road network. The project saw a 4.5 hectare open space landscaped to include both nature-based solutions and specially designed SuDS features that protect and improve the diversity of local wildlife. The ambitious project involved the creation of an ‘eco pond’ and grass verges, which are designed to attract crested newts, dragonflies, damselflies and grass snakes, as well as otters and a variety of birds. Alongside the nature-based solutions, tunnels and guide walls were installed to ensure wildlife can cross under the road. Bringing these features together has harmonised people, wildlife and infrastructure together to co-exist and flourish.


Creating better places for people and nature to thrive will certainly take a lot of thought and consideration. Housebuilders can begin to turn the tide on habitat loss, and good design is at the heart of driving change.


Adam Cane is sustainability lead at ACO Water Management


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92