Many construction works will involve the moving of soil in some way. This could include digging down to lay foundations, bringing new soil onto site to level off, or laying some high quality topsoil to create a garden or a planting area. Know what is in that soil, is equally as important, soil analysis can provide construction sites with valued information. Find out more about soil samples here…
Waste Acceptance Criteria Testing
WAC testing can help authorise that your soil is safe. This can be useful during and after the construction stage. During the construction stage, should the soil need to go to landfill. The WAC test will prove to any landfill operators that your soil is safe for landfill. This can be particularly important if there is a history of chemical work on the site, or if there has been an invasive weed (for example, Japanese knotweed) which can be present in the soil.
If you are bringing soil onto site, you should ensure that it is tested to the British Standard 5930 (commonly referred to as BS:5930). If you have any doubts about the soil, you may wish to consider an additional WAC test for the soil you are bringing on to site. If this is soil for growth, you could complete a chemical suite to ensure that the soil is suitable for this.
Soil Analysis & Planning Requirements
Finally, please do ensure that all planning requirements are met. Certain planning conditions may require tests to ensure the soil is ‘safe.’ The number of samples and the exact testing can vary massively between councils and between sites. We would recommend liaising with your local council throughout the planning stage, and as you book materials to arrive on site. This will ensure that all of their requirements are met throughout the construction work.
Soil analysis can cover a range of different tests, all designed to isolate different materials in the soil. It is important to understand what you are looking to get from your soil sample before going ahead.
There have been numerous studies carried out over the past few years looking at the Environmental Impact of Construction.
These have attributed 50% of climate change, 40% of energy usage and drinking water pollution and up to 50% landfill waste as resulting from construction. The UK Green Building Council has stated that more than 400 million tons of material is used by the construction industry per year.
In fact, building materials, such as steel and concrete, have been directly linked to large emissions of carbon dioxide due to their contents. It has also been stated that construction accounts for 25% of wood consumption globally.
With statistics like these, it is easy to see why construction has a large impact on the environment. As such, developers need to consider how to mitigate this impact whilst in the design phase of each project.
The Environmental Protection Agency requires that any construction project should consider the protection of the environment as a priority. This is supported by the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011. These regulations require that an Environmental Impact Assessment is completed as part of the planning application for development projects.
An Environmental Impact Assessment is a report that considers the impact of any proposed development on the surrounding environment. This includes consideration of the cultural and human impacts as well as socio-economic. Developers can then use the Environmental Impact Assessment to tailor the project and mitigate any identified environmental impact.
Three possible ways that developers or construction sites could reduce their impact on the environment include:
Build Green
By using environmentally friendly materials throughout the construction phase, developers can reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by up to 250 metric tons. Sustainable materials can be made up of recycled materials, be non-toxic or non-allergenic or be locally sourced, reducing the required transport time. Developers should also consider the energy and water efficiency of the building. This could be achieved by using specific energy saving facilities, the installation of solar panels and even the orientation of the building with the sun.
Compensate For The Environmental Impact.
The requirements for biodiversity are about to change which will mean developers will be required to increase biodiversity by a minimum of 10% on any development projects. This can be achieved through the creation of new local habitats, including the planting of new hedgerows or the creation of a roof garden. This will help to mitigate the impact any construction has on the surrounding environment.
Consider Fuel Usage.
One of the easiest ways to reduce the impact of construction on the surrounding environment is to consider the use of fuel. Construction sites commonly involve a range of vehicles, whether that is for the construction work itself or for hauling materials to the site. By minimising travel distances, using alternative fuel sources or hybrid vehicles and reducing vehicle idling times, the production of emissions can be reduced significantly.
It is key, both for the protection of the environment and to abide by regulation, that developers start considering their construction methods and their impact on the environment.
ProHort Ltd provide a wide range of services that could help you to identify and mitigate any impact your project might have on the surrounding landscape. Check out our Services to see how we can help you.
Soil health can make or break a successful planting scheme in your garden. While may plants are hardy enough to thrive in any environment, a chemical balance could be causing them to struggle. So why is soil so important?
Your Soil Could Be Classed As Unsafe.
If you are completing building work or a large garden renovation, soil can be WAC (Waste Acceptance Criteria) tested to ensure that it is safe enough to go to landfill. This can be useful if you are completing a project, or likewise if you are starting one. Many companies and councils will ask for this test to be completed as best practice ahead of work commencing. Failure to complete a WAC test could lead to expensive landfill charges as well.
Your Garden Could Have A Chemical Imbalance.
Chemical testing can also highlight the quantities of different minerals prevalent in your soil. Some plants are very sensitive to certain minerals or chemicals; the chemical balance of the soil can be changed using certain types of fertiliser. Having a basic chemical test can allow you to see which nutrients are out of balance and allows you to consider different options for fertilising and remediation.
Poor Microbial Biomass.
Analysis can also provide you with a measure of microbial biomass. The biomass shows how active the soil is at decomposing plant and animal residues, releasing carbon dioxide and plant nutrients. Biomass can be affected by soil texture, pH, and moisture – a simple analysis into soil health can highlight all these areas.
Soil is the literal foundation of your garden – it is important to ensure that it is healthy as you build your garden up.
There have been changes in biodiversity requirements. The biodiversity of a site is defined as the level of variety in desirable plant or animal life within a habitat. Currently, the Government’s National Planning Policy requires that local planning authorities encourages developers to improve biodiversity. However, there is no current standardised approach to how this is implemented, and the requirement is not enforceable by law.
The Environmental Bill
The Environmental Bill for England, which is currently going through Parliament, will introduce a mandatory requirement of increasing biodiversity by a minimum of 10%. This is referred to as biodiversity net gain. Keeping in line with the Government’s aim to leave the environment in a better state than we originally found it.
The introduction of the Environmental Bill is due to come into place at the end of 2020, with a two year transition period. Following this, planning approval will only be granted upon receipt of evidence that the development project will increase biodiversity by at least 10%. This biodiversity net gain will also need to be maintained for a minimum of 30 years and long-term protection will be a planning condition or obligation.
The Requirements
This increase in biodiversity requirements will have a direct impact on the approach landscape architects take in the future. Having to submit a biodiversity net gain plan for any projects. In these plans they will need to choose between three different possible approaches to addressing the biodiversity requirement:
Avoid any harm to the biodiversity of the site altogether. This could be through designs that are sympathetic to the surroundings or avoid existing features of interest.
Compensate for any harm caused by the development. This could be through the creation of alternative local habitats. Replacing trees or considering alternative ways of introducing a habitat.
Pay a tariff which will go towards supporting both local and national habitat creation projects.
As well as detailing how the net gain will be achieved. The biodiversity net gain plan will also need to include how the biodiversity value has been calculated. This value should be calculated using DEFRA’s Biodiversity Metric 2.0, and the estimated value upon completion will be compared to the original value of the site.
To prevent the illegal clearing of sites before a planning application takes place. Biodiversity records from Local Environment Record Centres will also be referred to. Any sites that have been identified to having been cleared will be subject to relevant penalties.
ProHort Ltd provide a range of landscape plans and landscape and visual impact assessments, which address the requirement for biodiversity net gain. Why not find out more about our Landscape and Visual Impact assessment service and get in touch?
s with valued information. Find out more about soil samples here…
Requirements
Requirements
Council has stated that more than 400 million tons of material is used by the construction industry per year.
be made up of recycled materials, be non-toxic or non-allergenic or be locally sourced, reducing the required transport time. Developers should also consider the energy and water efficiency of the building. This could be achieved by using specific energy saving facilities, the installation of solar panels and even the orientation of the building with the sun.
s Unsafe.
The Environmental Bill for England, which is currently going through Parliament, will introduce a mandatory requirement of increasing biodiversity by a minimum of 10%. This is referred to as biodiversity net gain. Keeping in line with the Government’s aim to leave the environment in a better state than we originally found it.
As well as detailing how the net gain will be achieved. The