Wildlife welfare

Over 40% of our wildlife has declined since the 1970s and around one in seven species are at risk of extinction Nationally, we need to move on from thinking that protecting small pockets of nature is enough – it isn’t – and taking a zonal approach to planning will not stop the spiral of decline We must help wildlife to recover quickly, and housebuilders have a crucial role to play Putting nature first doesn’t only benefit birds, bats and beetles – it is critical for people too Studies have consistently proven how spending time in green spaces improves people’s health and wellbeing A review of nature and wellbeing research over the past seven years concluded that being in nature reduced stress and mood disorders, improving mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. We all benefit from living in green, wildlife-rich environments – but for too long nature has been too far down the priority list, and that has to change.

Another influence on people’s wellbeing is how much control they have over their surroundings There has been somewhat of a shift in recent years from ‘community engagement’ to ‘community empowerment’, something The Wildlife Trusts are enabling through one of our latest initiatives, Nextdoor Nature. The scheme is designed to provide people with advice and support so they can improve where they live for nature – rather than ‘doing it for them’ This could be through creating habitat for wildlife or working with councils to improve green space

Developers can contribute to this idea by inviting input from communities about how to enhance an area for nature These considerations must begin at the earliest possible opportunity

A 20-year study by the Botanical Society for Britain and Ireland (BSBI) recently found that 53% of our native plants have declined due to human activities. Where habitats shrink and become isolated from one another, wildlife species dwindle It is so important that surveys of proposed developments detail fully what species and habitats exist and how they relate to other wildlife in the vicinity

Creating Nature Recovery Networks is fundamental to reversing declines in wildlife – but these wild webs can only succeed by people working together Ideally, new developments retain the best wildlife features, such as old trees, hedgerows and watercourses, as integral to any development We should then be looking at ways to increase the connectivity of wild places, as well as incorporating easy-win features like bee bricks and swift boxes into the building process It’s as much a change of how we think, as well as how we build.

Wildlife corridors can help small mammals and insects move around. To that end, we must make sure that manmade barriers that separate properties are permeable for wildlife. This could be as simple as creating holes in fences for hedgehogs, though it could extend to the redesign of drainage systems Culverts can hamper amphibians from reaching habitats, but well-placed slipways and ramps can enable creatures to move between breeding and feeding areas.

T h e r e a r e n o m i n i m u m r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r h o w s u s t a i n a b l e a h o m e s h o u l d b e , b u t i t i s g o o d p r a c t i c e f o r d e v e l o p m e n t s t o w o r k t o w a r d s t h e B R E E A M s t a n d a r d s T h i s b e n c h m a r k c o v e r s a w i d e v a r i e t y o f e n v i r o n m e n t a l i s s u e s i n c l u d i n g h o w b u i l d i n g s a f f e c t p e o p l e ’ s h e a l t h a n d w e l l b e i n g , a n d g u i d e l i n e s f o r l o w c a r b o n d e s i g n , e n e r g y e f f i c i e n c y a n d w a t e r m a n a g e m e n t

Houses need to work with nature, especially because of the changing climate and more extreme weather A good case study is looking at how Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) can improve a property for people, and for wildlife

Developers understand the importance of permeable paving on driveways and effective soakaways, as well as the usefulness of bushes, trees, and green areas Like all drainage systems, SuDS need to be properly maintained – and residents can play a part with the right support

The incorporation of nature-based solutions into housebuilding, from planning stages through to the finished product, shouldn’t be seen as a barrier but an opportunity. There are unrivalled reasons for prioritising wildlife and wellbeing at all stages of a housing development. Successful housebuilding in the twenty-first century is development that increases wildlife habitat – ideally by at least 20%. This improves an area for wildlife, boosts people’s wellbeing and reduces the carbon footprint of construction both during the building phase and lifetime of the property. UK developers have a long history of innovation – let’s use that experience to benefit nature with every single build.

WAN T TO KNOW MORE?

For more information on The Wildlife Trusts, go to www.rdr.link/dam006

Dara McGowan, director at Partel, looks into Passive House design and how a material-led approach using breathable membranes and vapour control layers can play a significant role in highly accurate airtight building envelopes and achieving Passive House standards.