taxonomy.php
This contractor created a method to measure the effectiveness of living walls for biodiversity. This is important because insect rates are falling at an alarming rate with several studies reporting losses of 40%, the situation is critical and insects are vital for the functioning of our ecosystems. There are projects that will have introduced green walls and assumed that they…
Working techniques can always be improved, which can reduce the impact on resources whilst still carrying out the same task to the same standard, if not higher. Minimising the use of environmental resources such as the natural water supply can reduce the output costs for the site. Sites can also look to leave behind a lasting legacy and re-build the natural environment…
Whilst doing some preparation work in the dock, a moorhen nested on one of the floating platforms, therefore work was suspended until the chicks hatched and fledged from the nest. When they started to look at how they could support the wildlife in the dock, the contractor developed an idea to produce platforms that would encourage nesting and give the…
This contractor included a mammal shelf within a pre-cast concrete culvert. This allows the existing stream to flow through the culvert while enabling mammals, such as otters etc to use the purpose-built shelf to travel through the culvert safely. This can be easily introduced in any new pre-cast concrete culvert construction works.
In conjunction with the estate, the contractor has had a green wall installed on a section of the hoarding. Unlike other green walls this is a very simple design but with smart features, it can be used both for permanent and temporary applications. The wall is installed as a dry matt fixed to the hoarding which then grows once water…
This contractor wanted to help their local community, by donating and planting 1000 trees at the local primary school. They also donated the eco-friendly guards and mulch to help the saplings grow. The trees were planted to transform a section of the schools field into a wellbeing area for the students, creating a quiet and private area for students to…
Protecting wildlife is a key component of the ‘Care for the Environment’ section of the Code of Considerate Practice as local wildlife and eco-systems are often impacted by construction work. During Spring and Winter months in particular is when much of the United Kingdom and Ireland’s wildlife population are raising their young. Read on for resources and best practice examples…
On this project they have installed two bee hives on site in partnership with BeeOdiversity to monitor the local environment around site. The bees collect billions of pollen samples from local areas and then report to their hives installed on the project. The samples get analysed at BeeOdiversity facilities in Belgium to identify the level of pollutants (Heavy metals and…
In a built up area in the Southside of Glasgow, a wetland oasis can be found. Using ponds as a sustainable drainage system has provided a habitat for many plants and animal species, along with reducing the previous impacts historic industrial activities have left on the land. Diversion of water into these ponds with gravel weirs and reed beds has…
Large-scale projects should work with the local community to ensure the project leaves a positive legacy on the surrounding environment. See the examples below for how a flood alleviation scheme achieved this: The site team approached several universities, including Teesside, Northumbria, Leeds and Leeds Beckett to provide designs for a seal hide. Originally the idea of the seal hide came…
Considerate constructors try to prevent negative environmental impacts as a result of works. When disruption is inevitable, sites should try to find ways to minimise their impact on the environment and support the local wildlife as much as possible. See the examples below for how one site achieved this: Built a 25m2 area on the roof of the three storey…
The McAleer & Rushe site team at New Waverley in Edinburgh created a green living space and biodiversity wall with the Royal Mile Primary School and the Royal Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. Together, they built a Bee and Butterfly Hotel. Pupils from the school helped to plant flowers in the green space and learned all about different pollinators which encourage bees…