1

Biodiversity and Nature
Recovery Annex
Version 4.0
11 March 2024

2

Contents
Overview
Executive Summary
Introduction: the Government Property Agency
Context
UK Biodiversity
What is biodiversity and why is it important?
Legal requirement
Summary of the GPA estate
Strategic approach to biodiversity and nature enhancement
Biodiversity Net Gain in new development
Best practice in operations
Supporting key species and pollinators
Enhancing connection to nature and wellbeing
Design approach
Ensuring success
Ensuring success diagram
Approved design measures to be explored with capital projects
Measuring progress - the GPA’s action plan
References and links

3
3
5
6
6
7
9
10
12
13
15
16
18
19
19
21
22
26
27

3

Overview
Executive Summary

At first glance, the urban environment may appear limited in opportunities to sustain
biodiversity. However, as more of the countryside comes under pressures, forexample, from intensive farming and development, urban areas are becoming
progressively valuable as havens for wildlife.
The Government Property Agency (GPA) has an important leadership role increating sustainable and resilient working spaces. As a major property owner acrossthe UK we are in a fortunate position to enable positive changes for our clients andnature.
We recognise there are many benefits of a wildlife-friendly environment to society.
And acknowledge the growing evidence that a connection with nature is good forboth our physical and mental wellbeing. Those of us who live and work in urban
environments often find it soothing to spend time in nature because it gives us abreak from the stimulation we experience as part of a sometimes hectic city lifestyle.
This guidance will reflect upon the broad variety of roles that our organisation
undertakes and how these can be adapted to ensure we maintain and improvebiodiversity outcomes across the estate we manage. For example the actions of ourpartners, contractors and clients. The importance of partnership working, particularly
during difficult economic times, means we need to work more efficiently than everbefore to achieve our aspirational sustainability objectives.
We recognise that we must play our part in reversing the loss of biodiversity. We do
not exist in isolation, humanity is connected to nature and we are all part of thebigger ecological picture, not separate from it. As the strategic leaders ofsustainability across the government office portfolio we want to promote biodiversity
across our estate in all its forms. By acting together, we can have a huge impact but
we will need to work within both financial and physical constraints.

4

Biodiversity is deteriorating worldwide and this decline is projected to worsen withbusiness-as-usual scenarios. The UN biodiversity conference, known as Cop15, hasconvened governments from around the world to agree to a new set of goals fornature over the next decade.
Hopefully, these ambitious plans to implement broad-based actions to bring about atransformation in society’s relationship with biodiversity will ensure that, by 2050, theshared vision of living in harmony with nature is fulfilled.
The targets agreed here will hopefully point humanity away from our ongoing
destructive practices and halt the damage being inflicted on the natural world.

Clive Anderson
Clive Anderson
Director of Capital Projects, the Government Property Agency

5Introduction: the Government Property Agency
The Government Property Agency (GPA) is at the forefront of the government’s
transformation agenda. Working with all government departments to help themdeliver their business needs and across the nations and regions of the UK. We are
rationalising and improving the estate, creating shared, sustainable spaces withtransformed digital tools and modern workplace services.
We have a real opportunity to make a huge difference to places, and to change
perceptions about the way we work. The GPA is driving sustainability to achieve theGovernment's carbon net zero ambition, adopting modern technology, and reshaping
our services to deliver a revised workplace strategy that is genuinely people-focused.
Our Mission and Vision
Our’s vision is to create a transformed, shared, sustainable and value for money
government estate that supports civil servants to work productively in every nation
and region of the UK. This is achieved by supporting growth across the UK;transforming the Civil Service; contributing to net zero and delivering better taxpayer
value across our assets.
We provide great places to work for civil servants, using our scale and commercial
expertise to do this effectively and sustainably, helping to support growth in all partsof the UK.
We recognise and want to embrace the opportunities that arise from our operations
whether it be making a real social and economic difference in supporting thegovernment’s levelling up agenda or promoting sustainability, improving
environmental performance in maximising our contribution to the UK’s net zerocarbon ambition.

6

Context
UK Biodiversity
The UK is seeing significant declines in wildlife. Out of 24 biodiversity indicators, 14
show long-term decline, including continued deterioration of UK habitats as well as adecline in priority species, according to the 2021 Joint Nature Conservation
Committee (JNCC) UK biodiversity indicators report. (The UK biodiversity indicators
report gives the most comprehensive overview of the action the government is taking
on the most pressing wildlife issues).
The data shows that populations of the UK’s most important wildlife have fallen by
60% in 50 years. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
highlights that there remains huge ongoing pressures on the country’s biodiversity,and recognises that many of our native species are in decline. The UK’s new
Environment Act outlines further details on how the government plans to tackle boththe climate and biodiversity emergencies.
Despite this alarming reduction in biodiversity, it is felt by many scientists not to be
too late to take urgent action to bring back biodiversity loss from the brink ofirreversible damage.
What can the GPA do?
As the strategic leaders of sustainability across the government office portfolio the
GPA will aim to promote biodiversity across its estate in all its forms. The GPA will
ensure that its business needs continue to support biodiversity enhancement in all
operations to allow nature to thrive.

7

What is biodiversity and why is it important?
Biodiversity is the shortened form of "biological" "diversity". It refers to all the varietyof life that can be found on Earth (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms)
including humans as well as to the communities in which we live. We cannot survive
without a healthy ecosystem, our future depends on it - for our health, the food weeat, the water we drink and the air we breathe.
Global Biodiversity.
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Nature Positive 2030 report saysthat “At global level, over 1 million species are threatened with extinction and the
populations of many vertebrate animals have declined by two-thirds since 1970. In
the UK over 40% of species are in decline, more than 40 million birds have been lostfrom our skies over the past 50 years, and a quarter of UK mammals are threatenedwith extinction. Nature is declining around the world because of the demands we are
placing on our natural systems”.
“The scale of biodiversity loss has profound consequences for people. Globally, andin the UK, many of the essential services for human life provided by nature havedeclined, including water and air quality, regulation of our climate, soil formation andbenefits to people’s physical and mental health. Ecosystems with their fullcomplement of biodiversity are more productive and resilient, providing greater
benefits to more people and underpinning sustainable economic prosperity”.
The JNCC and the GPA believe that there is no time to waste to rebalance ouractivities to enable better outcomes for nature. In the past, recovery from a crisis
such as Covid-19 has been at nature's expense. As we recover from the Covid-19
pandemic we need to plan to allow nature to recover.
Why is it happening?
The resources we consume and the way we live has consequences that can be far
reaching. Regretfully many of the current systems prioritise short-term financial
returns over long-term public good, such as soil health or supporting global
biodiversity. This short-term approach often encourages poor land/sea management.
Correcting these financial incentives will rehabilitate the ecosystems which are being
threatened.

8

What can the GPA do?
As the strategic leaders of sustainability across the government office portfolio wewill promote biodiversity across its estate in all its forms. The GPA will continue toensure high standards of procurement are followed to minimise adverse
environmental impacts. Such standards include using only Forest StewardshipCouncil (FSC) timber in its capital projects to minimise unsustainable wood
consumption or only sourcing fabrics from UK supply chains in office
refurbishments, where higher manufacturing standards can be evidenced.

9Legal requirement
As a large government landowner, the GPA is obligated to and expects all operations
to be compliant with all environmental legislation applicable across the UK.
It is expected that standard government policy and/or controls are implemented(such as Government Buying Standards) and that appropriate steps are taken to
acknowledge failures and embed improvements.
In such a large organisation, this work always requires ongoing review as knowledge
develops and lessons are learned. Policy and legislative change in recent years has
been extensive. As such, the GPA are currently and continually working to embed:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●

ISO4001 GPA Environmental Management System
25 Year Environment Plan
Environment Act 2021 & biodiversity net gain in new development
Environment (Wales) Act 2016
Applying the biodiversity duty (S102) to conserve and enhance;
Becoming accountable to the Office of Environmental Protection.
Supporting LNRSs where relevant

Then, working at pace, the GPA will look to raise awareness and plan delivery of:● Required elements of Greening Government Commitments 2021-2025;● HM Treasury Green Book and the ENCA (Enabling a Natural Capital
Approach)● Guidance within financial spending reviews, appraisal of policies, programmes
and major projects and ensuring long-term guardianship;● The support of innovation, research and lessons from industry and academia.
What can the GPA do?
This Biodiversity and Nature Recovery Annex outlines the key actions that will betaken to maintain compliance and embed recent legislation and policy. However,nature recovery needs more than legal minimums. We want to adopt best practiceand innovative approaches to become a flagship agency in greening government.

10

Summary of the GPA estate
The GPA is a public sector property holding company creating great places to workfor civil servants. The GPA defines the strategy, and delivers outcomes, for theGovernment’s office and warehouse portfolios. The GPA acts as the single landlord
for government department clients, providing workplace services where required.
Using Civil Service know-how and commercial expertise, the GPA is transforming theestate to be flexibly shared, sustainable and represent value for money. The GPA
has substantially increased the space it owns and manages for departments fromjust over 300,000 sq m in 2020 to over 900,000 sq m at the end of 2022-23.
The GPA is delivering several programmes:
Government Hubs Programme
Delivering the largest commercial office programme in the UK, including modern, lowcarbon, digitally-connected offices shared by multiple departments. This includes
over 20 projects.
Whitehall Campus ProgrammeThis is a sister to the Government Hubs Programme. Creating a smaller, greener,
shared, and digitally-enabled campus at the centre of government.
Lifecycle Replacement Programme
Investing in the estate to keep it safe and secure, to support productivity and to
reduce maintenance costs.
Net Zero Programme
Making additional interventions to reduce carbon emissions and bring down utility
costs, which will help us deliver ahead of government carbon targets. The GPA will
also dispose of poorly performing properties, build new schemes to high standards,
and connect to district heat schemes when possible.
Workplace Service Transformation Programme
The GPA is driving UK-wide economic growth through engagement with local
economies; Civil Service modernisation through improved productivity andengagement with civil servants; net zero through improved building conditions; andbetter value through improved service quality.

11

What can the GPA do?
By making changes to working practices the GPA aims to minimise theenvironmental impact of its service offer whilst also maximising the opportunity forreversing biodiversity loss. The GPA is committed to making changes to its working
practices to reduce the impact on the loss of biodiversity and support measures
which benefit the UK’s response to the climate crisis.
The GPA has already embedded net zero and sustainability into its capital
programmes. The GPA’s new Environmental Management System will enable further
progress in evidencing its environmental journey. This Biodiversity and Nature
Recovery Annex will be another tool to help clients and partners understand thecorporate objectives and aspirational goals of the GPA. It will also aid othergovernment departments in understanding the nature recovery actions within thespaces they occupy, with each department able to capture information that may
inform their Greening Government Commitment returns.

12Strategic approach to biodiversity and natureenhancement
In the planning, development and maintenance of this Biodiversity and Nature
Recovery Annex, the GPA aims to:● develop policies and strategies as necessary to deliver theand meet new statutory requirements (such as realising 10%
biodiversity net gain in new developments);● reduce negative impacts on biodiversity through measures relating to thedesign and operation of its buildings and other assets;● reduce negative impacts on biodiversity through measures relating to how it
procures goods and services;● reduce heat, drought and flood risk and improve air and water quality, thoughbiodiversity improvement schemes and nature-based solutions;● improve wellbeing through improved access to nature;● act as a leader to co-create opportunity and coordinate action and externalfunding and investment, by proactively and collaboratively engaging withpartners and interested parties;● manage financial decisions associated with the plan in line with its corporate
priorities and internal planning processes;● continually improve via the ongoing implementation of an accredited
environmental management system; and● minimise climate change by reducing carbon emissions by 78% by 2035. net
zero by 2050.

13

Biodiversity Net Gain in new development
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a development that leaves biodiversity in a better
state than before. It is also an approach where developers work with local
governments, wildlife groups, land owners and other stakeholders in order to support
their priorities for nature conservation. By ensuring good design and assurance oflong-term management via development planning requirements, the biodiversity
value of the development site should increase and be maintained over the long-term.
A 10% uplift in value has recently become mandated in the Environment Act 2021
and achievement is guided by the Chartered Institute of Ecology andEnvironmental Management (CIEEM) Biodiversity Net Gain good practice principles
and a DEFRA/Natural England metric, credit scheme and site register. These ten
principles set out good practice for achieving Biodiversity Net Gain and must be
applied all together, as one approach. The principles are supported by the Institutefor Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
Best practice requires avoiding losing biodiversity or any impacts in the first place, as
well as requiring the new designs to be locally valuable, landscape appropriate, andmaintained long-term. Therefore, achievement of biodiversity gain should be a
product of considered and iterative design, rather than an end-of-design tick box
solution. Achieving BNG will be most successful, cost effective (and can give
multiple benefits through nature-based solutions) when incorporated early in thedevelopment process/site selection, with ecologists involved throughout.
The GPA has several core requirements and technical standards for all new
construction. The GPA will apply the Building Research Establishment
Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) to new construction andrefurbishment projects to support the delivery of a fit-for purpose, energy efficientand sustainable estate. This spans the entire project lifecycle and it challenges todeliver buildings that enhance benefits for the local wildlife and create outdoor
spaces that provide positive experience for the civil servants based there and theirvisitors.
The GPA recognises the Natural England Green Infrastructure (GI) Design Guide asa source of best practice. It provides advice on how to design, deliver and manage
GI to best benefit multiple outcomes. The GPA will use this best practice to plan,
design, engineer, and landscape future capital projects as well as retrofitting andenhancing existing assets where practical.
This guide aims to provide practical, evidence-based advice on how to design goodquality GI in ways that help to create beautiful nature-rich accessible places,
contributing to local character and distinctiveness. It is designed to work alongsideand complement the National Model Design Code and National Design Guide.

14

The GPA aim to achieve biodiversity gain in all development by:● supporting an estate-wide approach to planning and land use – ensuring BNG
proposals are coordinated, resourced, appropriate and able to mature
successfully alongside operations;● new development from 2023/24 should achieve >10% BNG;
● early project engagement when designing Green Infrastructure (GI); and● mandate BREEAM ecology credits in development.

15Best practice in operations
The GPA predominantly manages offices and warehouses. Building archetypes
include new with modern methods of construction, historic listed premises,
temporary buildings, and shared/multipurpose leasehold spaces.
Within every one of these functions, the GPA has a role in planning, appraising,designing, specifying, procuring, maintaining, delivering, evaluating and reforming all
aspects of operational tasks to deliver its wider priority of creating great places towork for civil servants.
The GPA has a range of strategic partners who advise and deliver on its
programmes. The GPA will work closely with other government departments, who
are often its clients, to maintain a dialog on best practice and continual improvement.
The GPA frequently works with consultants, contractors, cross-government
interests, private industries and academic/voluntary partners, in a variety of ways
which can influence design interpretation and language.
Avoidance of impact should always be the first default solution – although financial
and resource restrictions often result otherwise. Nevertheless, there are immediate
and unique opportunities to directly avoid and reduce impact within the GPA’s
operations, and it is an exciting time to be promoting sustainability and trialling
solutions. This wide-ranging principle will address immediate and pragmatic actions
to directly help nature recovery through being sympathetic and proactive in
operations.

16

Supporting key species and pollinators
Natural capital has emerged as the framework of choice for gaining a better
appreciation of the interlinkages between the economy and the environment. Natural
capital has been promoted by the Government in the form of its flagship 25 Year
Environment Plan. The natural capital approach is particularly relevant in the context
of the current climate and biodiversity emergency.
The Environment Act (2021) operates as the UK’s new framework of environmental
protection. Given that the UK has left the EU, new laws that relate to nature
protection, water quality, clean air, as well as additional environmental protections
that originally came from Brussels, now need to be established. The Environment
Act allows the UK to enshrine some environmental protection into law. It offers new
powers to set new binding targets, including for air quality, water, biodiversity, andwaste reduction.
The Environment Act 2021 legislation requires a focus on halting the decline of
species by 2030. The Environment Act puts a key focus on driving forward nature’s
recovery. In addition to this the Nature Recovery Green Paper will support theambitions to restore nature and halt the decline in species abundance by 2030.
Best practice requires avoiding losing biodiversity or any impacts in the first place, as
well as requiring the new designs to be locally valuable, landscape appropriate, andmaintained long-term. Therefore, achievement of biodiversity improvements either
for pollinators or other key species should be a product of considered and iterative
design and partnership working.
The GPA recognises that pollinators are particularly important for maintaining
long-term healthy, diverse environments. The GPA will undertake special measuresacross its portfolio to help slow their significant decline which has been attributed tohabitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. Where appropriate the GPA will
make changes to land management to provide food, shelter and nest sites.
The National Pollinator Strategy highlights actions required on farmland, within towns
and cities, addressing pest and disease risks, raising awareness and improving
evidence; and the Greening Government Commitments 2021-2025 asks
departments to specifically support recovery in this area.

17

What can the GPA do?
By making changes to its working practices the GPA can minimise the environmental
impact of its service offer whilst also maximising the opportunity for key species andpollinators. The GPA is committed to making changes to its working practices sothey can reduce their impact on the loss of biodiversity and help other government
departments, their clients, to report against the GGCs via activities such as
beekeeping on the Government office estate.

18

Enhancing connection to nature and wellbeing
The mental health foundations "Nature" report shows that people who are moreconnected with nature are usually happier in life and more likely to report feeling theirlives are worthwhile. Nature can generate a multitude of positive emotions, such as
calmness, joy, creativity and can facilitate concentration.
Nature connectedness is also associated with lower levels of poor mental health; inparticular lower depression and anxiety levels. Perhaps not surprisingly, people withstrong nature connectedness are also more likely to have pro-environmental
behaviours such as recycling or supporting net zero.
By 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. That’s according to a
United Nations report released in 2018. Conversations about livable cities often
revolve around issues like optimising buildings for energy efficiency, enhancing
public transit, creating walkable neighbourhoods and a shift to zero emissions
transport. However, the prospect of further urbanisation means now more than everany further advances must rethink our relationship between the built environment
and the natural one.
What can the GPA do?
By developing this Biodiversity and Nature guidance the GPA’s working practices willcontinue to minimise the environmental impact of its service offer whilst also
maximising the opportunity for biodiversity enhancement.
The GPA’s working spaces both internal and external will foster improved mental
health outcomes for civil servants and visitors via the provision of spaces which feel
connected to the natural world around them.

19

Design approach
Ensuring success
The GPA is supporting the application of the principles developed collaboratively by
CIEEM, IEMA and CIRIA. These principles set out good practice for achieving
Biodiversity Net Gain and must be applied all together, as one approach.
What can the GPA do?
The GPA’s approach to natural capital enhancements and GI in capital projects:
Principle 1 - Apply the mitigation hierarchy.
Do everything possible to first avoid and then minimise impacts on biodiversity. Only
as a last resort, and in agreement with external decision-makers where possible,
compensate for losses that cannot be avoided. If compensating for losses within thedevelopment footprint is not possible or does not generate the most benefits fornature conservation, then offset biodiversity losses by gains elsewhere.
Principle 2 - Avoid losing biodiversity
Avoid impacts on irreplaceable biodiversity - these impacts cannot be offset toachieve No Net Loss or Net Gain.
Principle 3. Be inclusive and equitable.
Engage stakeholders early, and involve them in designing, implementing, monitoringand evaluating the approach to Net Gain. Achieve Net Gain in partnership withstakeholders where possible, and share the benefits fairly among stakeholders.
Principle 4. Address risks, mitigate difficulty, uncertainty and other risks toachieving Net Gain.
Apply well-accepted ways to add contingency when calculating biodiversity losses
and gains in order to account for any remaining risks, as well as to compensate forthe time between the losses occurring and the gains being fully realised.
Principle 5. Make a measurable Net Gain

20

Achieve a measurable gain for biodiversity and the services ecosystems provide. Net
Gain has been described as a measurable target for development projects where
impacts on biodiversity are outweighed by a clear mitigation hierarchy approach to
first avoid and then minimise impacts, including through restoration and/or
compensation. Adhering to these Net Gain principles (i.e. pursuing all principles
together) will help in under-pinning good practice for achieving and sustaining Net
Gain.
Principle 6. Achieve the best outcomes for biodiversity.
Achieve the best outcomes for biodiversity by using robust, credible evidence andlocal knowledge to make clearly-justified choices. Compensate for losses of one typeof biodiversity by providing a different type that delivers greater benefits for nature
conservation. Achieve Net Gain locally to the development while also contributing
towards nature conservation priorities at local, regional and national levels. Enhanceexisting or creating new habitats. Enhance ecological connectivity by creating more,bigger, better and joined areas for biodiversity.
Principle 7. Be additional.
Achieve nature conservation outcomes that demonstrably exceed existingobligations (i.e. do not deliver something that would occur anyway).
Principle 8. Create a Net Gain legacy.
Ensure Net Gain generates long-term benefits. Engaging stakeholders and jointly
agreeing practical solutions that secure Net Gain in perpetuity. Planning for adaptive
management and securing dedicated funding for long-term management activities.
Principle 9. Optimise sustainability.
Prioritise Biodiversity Net Gain and, where possible, optimise the wider
environmental benefits for a sustainable society and economy.
Principle 10. Be transparent.
Communicate all Net Gain activities in a transparent and timely manner, sharing thelearning with all stakeholders.

21

Ensuring success diagram

The principles of the Annex should also be applied when considering operational orcommercial decisions which would have an impact on the natural environment. For
example:● The use of pesticides in maintenance contracts● Using materials which can evidence minimum sustainability standards● Choosing supply partners who can evidence high environmental compliance22

Approved design measures to be explored with capitalprojects
The Greening Government Commitments 2021-2025 ask each department to protect
and enhance their land as a contribution to its government commitment. The GPA,
on behalf of its clients, will explore various design features for their further rollout
across its diverse office and warehouse portfolios. These features will include design
incorporated as part of its capital projects Biodiversity Net Gain commitments as well
as new features for nature enhancement within existing assets.
The GPA strongly endorses the outcomes specified within the Natural England GI
Design Guide 2022
Features for design consideration in new buildings include:
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs)
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) can vary in design. (Green roofs, blue roofs,
rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, tree pits, swales, wetlands,ponds and otherfeatures which have been designed to store water and flow the flow). The use of
SuDS are a better alternative to conventional drainage systems into drains andwatercourses as they can provide opportunities for biodiversity enhancement andresilience to the effects of climatic change.
Green roofs
A green roof (also known as a living roof) is a roof, deck, or terrace where vegetationor habitat is deliberately established. A green roof can be intensive (commonly
known as roof gardens) or extensive (Extensive green roofs are usually vegetatedwith low-growing, drought-tolerant vegetation such as stonecrops, sedum species,and dry meadow vegetation).
Depending on the approach a variety of growing media known as substrates will be
used with different depth requirements depending on the species being
accommodated within the scheme. However, regardless of green roof type, earlyconsideration of the proposed measures within the design process is likely to create
better outcomes for nature.
Biodiverse green roof systems should be considered early within the design process
and be designed to provide more native vegetation or habitat value for wildlife. A welldesigned green roof should also include habitat features, for example sand piles,
stacks of dead wood or stones.

23

Green walls
Green walls can be divided into green facades (climbing plants) and living walls(intensive green wall systems that are composed of textiles, modules, pockets,or troughs). This is a fast-developing area, and new techniques and products areconstantly under development.
Green façades are the traditional green walls where climbing plants are rooted
into the ground or into planter boxes. Climbing plants may be grown directly onto
the building façade or be trained against wires or trellises. Green façades may
take some time to establish; however, maintenance requirements are low, andirrigation may not be necessary where plants are rooted into the ground. It is
important to take account of aspect, shade, and the availability of water for locating
suitable locations for this design feature.
Living walls are proprietary systems, often installed and maintained as a package.
Textiles, plastics, and metal (boxes and cages) are used to provide pockets ortroughs that support plants.
Any design features would require early consideration within the design process todevelop the optimal outcomes for biodiversity enhancement and ongoing
maintenance requirements.
Rain gardens
Rain gardens tend to be relatively small, planted areas designed to receive
rainwater flowing from paved surfaces or from drainpipes. In its simplest form it
is a shallow depression, partially filled with absorbent yet free draining soil
(usually a mixture of coarse sand and organic matter) and planted with vegetationthat can withstand temporary inundation. Rain gardens are designed to intercept andslow the flow of water that might otherwise directly enter conventional drains.
When designing rain gardens, it is important to consider how water will drain away
once storage capacity is exceeded. Planting a rain garden presents an opportunity toincrease biodiversity by using native plants or plants that attract pollinators.

24

SwalesA swale is a shallow channel designed to store and convey surface water runoff. If
the gradient is suitable, swales may include stop logs or boulders designed to slow
the flow. Inlets, outlets and other places that are subjected to high flow rates, that
could cause erosion, may need to be armoured. On permeable ground, water may
also infiltrate. A swale can also remove pollutants and may be used to direct water
for site drainage management.
Plants should be selected that can withstand periods of drought. With most swales it
is advisable to establish vegetation by seeding with a variety of native species,
including wetland, wet grassland and dry grassland mixtures, chosen according to
the local setting.
Features for species
The selection of features will depend on the location and setting, species that
occur in the area and species to be targeted. This will range from common andwidespread species like blue tit and soprano pipistrelle bat to declining species
and groups like house sparrow and mining bees.
The Natural England Green Infrastructure Design Guide has various examples of thefeatures that can be incorporated into the design to provide better outcomes fornature. These can include features like swift bricks or invertebrate refugium.
Trees in hard landscapes
Street trees and trees planted into other paved areas are a mainstay and a key
component of urban greening. The conventional approach has been to plant trees
for aesthetic reasons, and while that will continue to be an importantconsideration, it is now widely accepted that trees are important for a wide rangeof functions including summer shade and cooling, improving air quality, providing
habitat for wildlife, and helping to reduce flood risk.
The size, configuration and make-up of tree pits is an important factor in helping
trees to thrive, as well increasing their ability, to absorb and store surface waterand therefore improve resilience to drought. The Natural England GreenInfrastructure Design Guide has various examples of the features that can beincorporated into the design to provide better outcomes for nature.

25

Street furniture and utility structures
The urban environment includes utilitarian structures associated with provision ofservices or storage. Examples include bollards, railings or security barriers protecting
pedestrians or buildings from vehicles, cycle and bin stores, bins, kiosks andcabinets and poles for power and communications.
It is possible to vegetate many of these features – examples include planted security
barriers against hostile vehicles or sub-stations, bin stores and cycle stores withgreen roofs.
As with green roofs on buildings, biodiversity should be a consideration, with diverse
planting of drought-tolerant native species and other suitable species with adocumented value for wildlife. When vegetating street furniture and utility structures,
it is important that adequate growing medium, light, water and suitable planting isprovided and that the provision of benefits and biodiversity is considered as well as
aesthetics and maintenance.

26

Measuring progress - the GPA’s action plan
The GPA will develop tools to monitor compliance with the Biodiversity and Nature
Recovery Annex. Performance measures would include the following:● 10% Biodiversity Net Gain on capital programme projects● 90% Native species in landscaping● 10% Non-native for extending pollination season● Mandate BREEAM ecology credits in development● Urban Greening Factor of 0.3> in new capital projects
Corporate measurement of actions that enhance nature recovery or biodiversity via
the Environmental Management System (EMS) or other measurement functions
such as social value delivery. These include but are not limited to:● Collect more biodiversity data
● Work with stakeholders on localised projects● Increased conservation cutting● Reduced light pollution● Creation of wild areas● Minimise the use of Glyphosate/ Encourage chemical free maintenance● Removal of water intensive planting● Use of window film to reduce bird strikes● Bat Boxes, Swift Boxes and other wildlife features● Using materials which can evidence minimum sustainability standards● Choosing supply partners who can evidence high environmental compliance
Progress will be reported biannually to the GPA’s Sustainability Committee (SusCo)
via inclusion within EMS reporting regime or as a stand alone committee report.

27

References and links
Nature Positive 2030 Evidence Report Investing for healthy nature, people andeconomyEnvironment Act 2021
Natural England Green Infrastructure Design Guide
Biodiversity Net Gain: Good practice Principles for Development CIEEM
A guide to Natural Capital terminology from the Natural Capital Committee
A Natural Capital glossary of terms
Defra’s (2020) Enabling a Natural Capital Approach (ENCA) guidance
UK Biodiversity Indicators 2021
Nature Recovery Plans/ Nature Recovery Networks
UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2022
Atkins approach
Valuing Our Natural Capital: The Atkins Approach (snclavalin.com),
Environmental Net Gain (snclavalin.com),
Biodiversity Net Gain: the Atkins approach