Enhancing Ecology and Maximising Land Use

How we are addressing this issue:

Enhancing ecology

The land upon which we develop is a precious resource and we are conscious of both its economic and ecological value. We continuously seek to maximise the ecological value of our developments for the benefit of both our residents and the wider community.

Ecologists identify and report upon the actions we should take to enhance the flora and fauna of our developments. Through the use of ecologists, many sites support wildlife through the incorporation of large areas of parkland (please click here for examples), while other developments such as Woodberry Down, Griffin Studios and Silkworks incorporate brown roofs that both enhance local ecology and slow rainwater run-off, providing added protection from flooding.

Maximising land use

Given the environmental and social value of greenfield land in the UK and our focus on urban regeneration, we believe it is appropriate to continue our long-standing commitment to ensure that over 95% of our development is on brownfield land. This commitment continues to be reflected in the type of land we purchase, with only one planning application made during 2010/11 on greenfield land. We ensure that the risks associated with land use are identified prior to acquisition and then can be managed during development. A Land Purchase Risk Assessment is undertaken on all acquisitions, and incorporates aspects such as flooding, capacity to generate energy and contamination.

Our performance:

In 2010/11:

• 59% of our live sites had some form of biodiversity action plan in place.
• All but one of the developments we submitted for planning had employed, or had committed to employ, an ecologist. Click here for more information on the scheme that will not employ an ecologist.
• 92% of our completed development was on brownfield land, below our commitment level. Between 2005/6 and 2009/10, 100% of our homes completed were on brownfield land. The drop in 2010/11 has been caused by the completion of 194 homes on four greenfield sites. These sites will continue to generate completions during 2011/12 but we expect development on brownfield land to remain at or around our commitment level.
• One planning application was made for a greenfield site.

Our Vision2020 commitments and ambitions:

As part of delivering Vision2020 we have set specific objectives to help enhance ecology and maximise land use.

Our commitments from May 2011:

• Complete over 95% of development on brownfield land
• Consult an ecologist on all developments to provide advice and guidance on protecting ecology

Our ambition from May 2012:

• Install living roofs on all high-density schemes

Case studies:

Remediating brownfield land at Gunwharf Quays

At Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth large scale remediation work was carried out to decontaminate the former naval base and the site was raised by one metre, to reduce flood risk. Our legacy here has been to transform a derelict and decaying site in to one of the premier mixed use developments on the South Coast, driving the transformation of the surrounding area.

Creating new wildlife habitats

We were instrumental in the redevelopment of Barnes Waterside, which is home to more than 30 different wetland habitats, planted with over 300,000 aquatic plants and 30,000 trees. There are now over 350 plant species on the site with 120 recognised wetlands species.

At Holborough, Kent, an Ecological Mitigation Strategy and Conservation Management Plan has ensured existing habitats have been preserved, and new ones created. Similarly, at Kew Riverside Park, a nature has been incorporated to home the rare two lipped snail, and provide an amenity for local residents. At High Wycombe, St James is working with the Environment Agency to enhance and re-profile the banks of the nearby River Wye, and create a water cress bed and pond. This will enhance wildlife habitats, provide a feeding ground for the local bat population, and has been designed with bridges to allow mammals to cross the water.

Creating new open spaces and habitats

At Imperial Wharf we created a privately funded 10- acre public park adjacent to the Thames, which was the first to be created in London for over fifty years.

The Hamptons includes 31- acres of newly created parkland which will provide a significant recreational facility for the local community and make a vital contribution to enhancing ecological value. Mayflower Park will incorporate formal landscaping, informal parkland and a nature conservation area including a natural amphitheatre and four acres of lakes. The London Wildlife Trust (LWT) will be taking over the long-term management of the park and will employ full-time staff to be present on site seven days a week. LWT will also educate and encourage the local residents to get involved with the maintenance of the parkland through a programme of community engagement.