• BREEAM/ Code for Sustainable Homes
• Protected species
  • Reptiles
  • Water voles
  • Common dormice
  • Badgers
  • Bats
  • Great crested newt
  • Otters
  • Wintering and breeding birds
  • White clawed crayfish
• Thomson Ecology Site Check
• Habitat Surveys
• Environmental Impact Assessments
• Ecology in masterplanning
• Expert witness at Public Inquiries
• BREEAM/ Code for Sustainable Homes
• Green Roofs
• G.I.S. Services
• Tree Services
• Wildlife habitat restoration and creation

BREEAM/ Code for Sustainable Homes

Thomson Ecology provides specialised ecological input for BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes assessments. Our site visit and reporting style fulfil the specific requirements of each assessment process. Our consultants meet the ‘Suitably Qualified Ecologist’ (SQE) criteria as stipulated in the BRE guidelines.

The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methods (BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes) are used to assess the environmental performance of both new and existing buildings. BREEAM assessment is regarded by the UK's construction and property sectors as the measure of best practice in environmental design and management.

BREEAM assessment methods cover a range of building types including offices, industrial buildings, schools and multi-residential developments. For new housing, the assessment process is known as the Code for Sustainable Homes (formerly EcoHomes). The Government has confirmed that, as from the 1st May 2008, it is mandatory for all new homes to be assessed using the Code.

In both BREEAM and Code assessments, a number of credit points are available under different categories, such as Energy, Transport and Water. The performance of a development can be assessed against each of these categories and an overall rating awarded depending on the number of credit points achieved. Some planning authorities request new developments to meet a minimum rating under this scheme.

Credit points are available under both the Code and BREEAM methods within an Ecology category (referred to as Land Use and Ecology in BREEAM). Some of these credits are only available following a site visit and production of a report by a Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE). Specialist input is required for various components of the assessment such as the current ecological value of the site, where and how features of ecological value can be retained and protected and how the site can be enhanced for ecology after development.

At Thomson Ecology we can provide a SQE to undertake a site survey and produce a report to fulfil this requirement. Our reporting style has been developed in line with the guidelines produced by BRE covering each assessment type. This results in a clear output giving our results and recommendations together with an outline of the likely ecological credit points available. We can also provide management plans to ensure the steps taken to benefit biodiversity are sustainable for at least five years post development.

Our wealth of experience of BREEAM and Code projects covers many different development types ranging from individual homes to large-scale housing schemes and commercial developments. We have also worked with landscape designers and architects to develop suitable planting schemes to maximise the credit points available for a positive change in ecological value.

For help with your BREEAM assessment call us on 01483 466000 or get us to call you: