BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)

What is the Purpose of BREEAM?

Compadss, ruler and pencil

A BREEAM assessment is a method of demonstrating sustainability within infrastructure.

BREEAM is an international scheme providing an independent certification of the sustainability of building projects. At Ecology by Design, we assist our clients with one of the ten categories the assessment covers: Land Use and Ecology.

The results of BREEAM assessment depend on the accumulation of credits through specific sections, provided that prerequisites are fulfilled. A suitably qualified ecologist will guide you through the process and conduct the necessary ecological value calculations for the site before and after the proposed plans. The Land Use and Ecology sections that must be fulfilled are summarised below:

Land Use and Ecology Sections

LE01 – Site Selection

  • One credit available if the land is previously occupied or contaminated.

LE02 – Ecological Risks and Opportunities

  • Three credits are available, this section requires an ecologist to be involved from an early stage to influence the design stage, the conditions of the wider environment must be considered, and all data should be shared with the project team.

LE03 – Managing Impacts on Ecology

  • Three credits are available, plans must avoid and mitigate ecological impacts at an early stage and measures to manage negative impacts during construction must be implemented. Plans must result in a minimal or negligible loss in ecological value.

LE04 – Ecological Change and Enhancement

  • Four credits are available, measures to enhance ecological value must be implemented, data collected must be sent to the local records centre, the GN36 Change in Ecological Value Calculator must be used to calculate the change in ecological value.

LE05 – Long Term Management and Maintenance

  • Two credits are available, measures must be implemented to manage and maintain ecology throughout the project and an ecology and biodiversity management and maintenance plan must be provided to the tenant or building owner. A Landscape and Ecology Management Plan must be developed for the first five years after the completion of the building works.

Compliance – Planned ecological enhancements are to be signed off by an ecologist before a BREEAM score can be finally awarded.

What are BREEAM scores?

A percentage score is applied after the completion of all sections of the BREEAM assessment. The scores available are summarised below:

  • Outstanding: 85% or higher

  • Excellent: 70%

  • Very Good: 55%

  • Good: 45%

  • Pass: 30%

  • Unclassified: Less than 30%

Why do a BREEAM assessment?

Completing a BREEAM assessment helps clients to mitigate risk and demonstrate sustainability throughout the planning and construction process. This can reduce costs, maximise the value of the finished properties and attract clients and tenants.

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