Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth or in a specified region or area. There are different levels at which biodiversity benefits can be incorporated into new places, this includes at the development site level and the building level.

The design, layout and landscaping of new development offer enormous opportunities to add to, or enhance biodiversity and geological conservation.

Buildings can incorporate biodiversity and geological features within the design of the development, to the benefit of the users and wider community. These can help the wider aim to maintain, and enhance, restore or add to biodiversity and geological conservation interests (Planning Policy Statement 9).

Biodiversity provides a number of benefits to new developments such as:

• Environmental benefits – Carbon sinks (trees and other plants have the capacity to absorb carbon dioxide), pollution reduction, air cooling, flood prevention and protecting complex ecosystems and genetic diversity.
• Social benefits – Health and wellbeing promoted through natural greenspaces to reduce stress and encourage beneficial exercise and relaxation.
• Economic benefits – Property values are likely to be increased by proximity to high quality greenspace, trees and managed water bodies. Businesses are attracted to areas with high quality natural environments.

The maximum gain will be made where design for wildlife is planned from the earliest stages, and is focussed, targeted and based on sound ecological principles. In designing new developments and buildings the following issues can be considered:

• Design and Layout - The design and layout of new developments should always be informed by, and respond positively to, ecological considerations and the findings of the site evaluation process. Biodiversity should be addressed within Design and Access Statements, where these are required to support a planning application.
• Opportunities - The nature conservation opportunities and constraints should be identified and worked into the master-plan for the development. Even where little existing biodiversity interest has been identified on a site, developers should aim to create features such as functional habitat networks that will provide wildlife with opportunity to colonise and/or intermix genetically
• Building fabric – Minor additions can be made such as providing nesting spaces for species such as swifts, sparrow terraces or ‘green roofs’. Bat bricks can also be incorporated in suitable buildings close to flight corridors with minimal financial or visual impact.
• Mitigation and compensation – where retention and enhancement cannot be achieved
• Landscape design – Well designed landscaping schemes can provide wildlife benefits and in doing so, can add an extra dimension to the built landscape, parks and open spaces. For instance tree and shrub planting can provide nesting sites, roosting sites and shelter for wild birds, bats, reptiles and amphibians.
• Management and aftercare - The management and aftercare of areas of nature conservation value that are to be retained, enhanced or created, is essential to ensure that they attain their full potential for both wildlife and people, providing opportunities for education, experience, learning and involvement.

Useful Websites

• Design for Biodiversity
• Town and Country Planning Association – Biodiversity By Design
• Planning Policy Statement 9 – Biodiversity and Geological Conservation
• UK Biodiversity Action Plan
• Revealing the value of nature (2002) English Nature
• Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Landscape Design Guide.
• CIRIA - CIRIA is a member-based research and information organisation dedicated to improvement in the construction industry.
• English Nature’s Urban Greenspace standard
• Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre
• Kent Biodiversity Action Plan
• Kent Landscape Information System
• Local Nature Reserves