Consultation - Developing with Nature guidance
Guidance on securing positive effects for biodiversity from local development to support draft NPF4 policy 3(e)
The Consultation Draft below has now been revised, and the finalised Developing with Nature guidance viewed on this page.
This is draft guidance, developed by NatureScot in support of the Scottish Government’s work on securing positive effects for biodiversity, in particular from local development. It has been prepared and consulted on to inform understanding of the intended approach set out in the draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), Policy 3(e) on the Nature Crisis. This policy refers to the inclusion of ‘appropriate measures’ to enhance biodiversity for local, non-EIA development, with the exemption of householder, farmed fish or shellfish development. This draft guidance provides advice on such measures.
The consultation closed on 4 March 2022. An analysis of submissions can be viewed in this report, together with the responses received. Comments on the following 3 questions are being considered in revising the guidance:
- The list of measures and features identified in the guidance - are these the appropriate ones, and are there any others that should be included?
- The level of detail provided on each of the individual measures and features – is there adequate information set out to inform understanding of the range of biodiversity measures that can be incorporated in a development?
- The clarity and accessibility of the guidance as a means of a) informing project design, and b) decision making on the measures to be included in individual applications?
This draft guidance will be revised to reflect any changes in the finalised NPF4 following the Scottish Parliamentary process, and consideration of comments received from stakeholders. The finalised guidance will also include photographs, sketches and diagrams to illustrate the measures and features discussed (an example to illustrate the approach can be downloaded at the bottom of this web page).
NatureScot will publish finalised guidance when Ministers adopt NPF4.
Contents
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. THE BIODIVERSITY MEASURES
- Planting for Nature
- MEASURE 1: PLANTS FOR POLLINATORS
- MEASURE 2: WILDFLOWER MEADOW
- MEASURE 3: NEW AND OLD GROWTH ORCHARDS
- MEASURE 4: TREES, SCRUB AND WOODLAND
- MEASURE 5: LIVING ROOFS - GREEN, BROWN AND BLUE
- MEASURE 6: GREEN WALL AND GREEN SCREEN
- MEASURE 7: BOUNDARY HEDGE
- Providing Homes for Nature
- MEASURE 8: LOG AND LEAF PILES
- MEASURE 9: HIBERNACULA
- MEASURE 10: HOMES FOR BEES
- MEASURE 11: HOMES FOR BUGS
- MEASURE 12: HOMES FOR HEDGEHOGS
- MEASURE 13: HOMES FOR SMALL BIRDS
- MEASURE 14: HOMES FOR OWLS
- MEASURE 15: HOMES FOR BATS
- MEASURE 16: WILDLIFE WALL
- MEASURE 17: WILDLIFE TOWER
- MEASURE 18: WILDLIFE FRIENDLY LIGHTING
- Managing Water with Nature
- MEASURE 19: RAIN GARDEN
- MEASURE 20: WILDLIFE SWALE AND DITCH
- MEASURE 21: BIODIVERSE SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SYSTEM PONDS
- MEASURE 22: PONDS FOR WILDLIFE
- MEASURE 23: DRAIN ESCAPES
- Planting for Nature
- 3. SELECTING THE MEASURES THAT ARE APPROPRIATE
- 4. KEY SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION
1. INTRODUCTION
The Planning system, development and biodiversity
1. The world is facing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Addressing these interlinked challenges will take an enormous effort globally, nationally and locally. In Scotland biodiversity has declined dramatically in recent decades, with strong and bold action required to bring about the transformative change needed to halt this loss (see The Edinburgh Declaration, 31st August 2020).
2. Habitats have been lost, damaged and fragmented, and species disturbed and their shelter and food removed. This is as the result of a number of pressures such as intensive agriculture, over fishing, pollution and invasive species, as well as changes in land-use and the built environment. It is important that all our activities, including development, not only avoids damage to and loss of biodiversity, but helps to restore nature by delivering positive effects for biodiversity.
Scotland’s declining biodiversity
Along with other pressures, development and urbanisation has resulted in a loss of valuable wildlife sites and the fragmentation of habitats. While immediate impacts can be all too obvious, this has severely impacted on species dispersal and mortality, restricting genetic mixing and increasing inbreeding, and as a result increasing species isolation and the chance of local populations going extinct.
The most up to date data show that the abundance and distribution of Scotland’s species has on average declined over recent decades. Most measures indicate that this decline has continued in the last decade, with no let-up in the net loss of nature in Scotland.
- 24% decline in average species abundance since 1994
- 14% decline in average species distribution since 1970
- 49% of species have decreased in abundance since 1970
- 11% of 6,413 species found in Scotland are threatened with extinction from Great Britain
Source: The State of Nature Scotland 2019, The State of Nature Partnership
3. Planning has an important role to play in helping to address these challenges and will require a new approach to help halt and reverse biodiversity loss and better connect our biodiversity rich areas. The draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) includes a new Universal Policy on the Nature Crisis for planning decisions to help achieve positive effects for biodiversity in association with development.
4. Positively providing for nature alongside new development delivers multiple benefits and nature based solutions. It supports biodiversity, benefits people and improves our places as well as enhancing the development itself. Wider environmental benefits can include better water and temperature regulation, improving air and water quality, enhancing carbon storage and absorbing noise. These all contribute to better places that promote wellbeing, provide for healthier lifestyles, enable people to connect with nature, support greater attachment to place and can enhance the economic value attributed to a development.
5. Biodiversity should be considered from the outset when formulating development proposals, as a core part of the siting and design process. This should ensure that unacceptable impacts are avoided, valued habitats retained, and all opportunities to enhance nature are taken. Early consideration can lead to improvements in design through better integration of measures for biodiversity (including provision for future management needs), and result in cost and resource savings by avoiding the need to ‘retrofit’.
6. With early consideration of the opportunities to provide for nature and appropriate design, even the smallest of developments and sites can support and benefit biodiversity. This guidance will help you identify the measures and features you can incorporate as part of a development to achieve this. This includes:
- safeguarding and enhancing existing habitats and species on site
- ensuring new buildings and structures include features for nature
- creating nature and people friendly green spaces
- connecting habitats across the site and providing permeable boundaries for nature
- integrating biodiversity rich nature based solutions into the design, such as sustainable drainage systems and green roofs, which deliver multiple benefits for people and nature.
7. The biodiversity measures identified in this guidance are in addition to applying the mitigation hierarchy in order to first avoid, then minimise and finally compensate for adverse effects. Where development results in detrimental effects on biodiversity these should be mitigated to the greatest degree possible. Only after this can the contribution of the measures to delivering positive effects be considered. Retaining and enhancing existing habitat will almost always be of greater benefit to nature than substituting with new measures.
Who is the guidance for?
8. This guidance is for anyone making or considering a planning application under Scotland’s Planning Acts for a “local development” not subject to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA is required for any application likely to have significant effects on the environment). ‘Local development’ is any development that is identified as neither a ‘national development’ nor a ‘major development’. Examples include smaller developments of new housing, industrial and retail buildings, amongst others (further information on ‘local’, ‘major’ and ‘national development’ can be found in Circular 5 2009: Hierarchy of Developments).
9. The National Planning Framework sets out new requirements for the planning system to take greater account of nature in the decisions it makes. Policy 3 sets out planning policy in response to the Nature Crises, and 3(e) requires that proposals for local development should only be supported if the application includes ‘appropriate measures’ to enhance biodiversity, in proportion to the nature and scale of development. This guidance describes these biodiversity measures, and the considerations that should be taken in to account when determining whether they are appropriate.
10. Policy 3(e) does not apply to householder development (development within the curtilage of a single dwelling that requires a planning application, such as an extension or conservatory), nor farmed fish and shellfish development. Nonetheless, small scale householder development can often include features that will be of benefit to nature and applicants are encouraged to apply the principles and measures set out in this guidance wherever possible.
The scope of this guidance
11. This Guidance describes a number of measures that development can incorporate to enhance nature. This is not an exhaustive list of measures but covers many common actions that are widely applicable across a range of settings and can be included in many types of development.
12. This guidance does not include more specialist measures applicable to rarer species that will require expert ecological advice, which is outwith the scope of this guidance. Some of the measures included will support some species that enjoy special protection (such as bats), which places certain legal requirements on anyone potentially disturbing them to ensure their safeguard. Understanding and conforming with legal requirements is essential for any development likely to interact with protected species, whether already present on-site or likely to be attracted by the biodiversity measures set out here.
13. Section 2 sets out key information on the 23 measures described and identifies where further detailed information on the design, construction, management and maintenance of individual features can be found. The focus of the guidance is on enhancing nature, which will also improve our places and the lives of those working and living there. Many of the measures can also bring wider benefits too and these are identified where appropriate.
14.Many of the measures set out in this guidance can also be incorporated in and around existing development, and the opportunity to ‘retrofit’ these alongside development is encouraged.
2. THE BIODIVERSITY MEASURES
15. This section provides a description of each of the biodiversity measures that can be incorporated into development. The 23 measures have been grouped in to three categories: planting for nature; providing homes for nature; and managing water with nature.
16. The opportunities for enhancing nature should be considered from the very earliest stages of designing a development. This includes the retention and enhancement of existing habitats, as well as incorporating the measures set out here in the development. The distinct elements that go to make up most developments provide a range of opportunities for enhancing nature, and each of these should be considered.
Buildings and structures: Consider the opportunities for incorporating features within, or on, built structures. Many species are able to utilise artificial structures with features that reflect their natural habitats. As well as providing homes for many species they can also provide a substrate for food sources.
Borders, boundaries and buffers dividing the site: Consider the on and off site connectivity of living hedgerows, verges and buffer strips, and built dykes, walls and fences. Linking together areas of habitat these linear features provide food, shelter and safe routes for movement throughout a site and dispersal beyond it, amplifying the benefits of individual measures.
Rain and surface water management: Consider how water can be used to support biodiversity, whether through utilising existing sources or enhancing elements of any SuDS (sustainable drainage system). Measures to collect and convey water at source and across the wider site can be designed and managed to provide food, shelter and homes for wildlife.
Gardens and grounds: Consider the opportunities for enhancing nature in the areas surrounding built development. The layout, structure, choice of species and management of these areas will have a strong influence on the opportunities for nesting, shelter, food and movement, and their likely success.
17. Individual measures must not be considered in isolation. Most, if not all measures, can complement and enhance the support for nature that other measures provide, and many will be dependent on other aspects such as suitable foraging or shelter being available (both within and beyond the development site). Existing and well established habitat, either retained on site or found in adjacent areas, is of particular value to the wildlife supported by these measures as new habitat requires time to mature and provide the necessary conditions. Retaining and enhancing existing habitat needs to be considered from the outset.
18. Their contribution to enhancing biodiversity more widely beyond the development, strengthening network connections for nature, should also be recognised. Ensuring suitable habitat connectivity for wildlife across the landscape is important for most species, particularly where cover avoids predation, or protects from exposure to the elements. Hedgerows, woodland and scrub, meadows and verges, street and feature trees, and ponds and wetlands can all act as important wildlife corridors. Every opportunity should be taken to safeguard, enhance and extend connectivity within the development and with the wider landscape, and ensure the measures introduced do not create isolated pockets of enhancement.
19. The description of each measure and feature that follows adheres to a similar format. Each provides the key information for considering the measure’s fit and suitability for the development that is proposed. This includes:
- a short description of what the measure comprises;
- an overview of what benefits the measure provides for nature;
- the key requirements for successfully implementing the measure;
- a description of the management effort required to maintain the measure;
- other measures that the measure particularly complements;
- nature notes providing general information of wider interest; and
- web links to sources of further information on delivering the measure.
Planting for Nature
20. Plants, shrubs and trees provide food, shelter and homes for many species, and all planting should be designed to enhance nature where possible. Even small areas of ground can be planted to attract insects and pollinators, and provide an important food source for species using buildings and other structures. Buildings and structures can themselves provide a substrate for plants through incorporating living roofs and green walls.
21. The use of native species can have significant benefits for biodiversity, having developed as an integral part of the diverse ecosystem that supports the wildlife to be encouraged by these measures. Native species appropriate to the area should be chosen that compliment those found locally and grown from local sources (of local provenance) where possible. Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs), the NBN Atlas Scotland and local environment record centres are key sources of information on what native species are appropriate to an area.
22. The avoidance of invasive species in planting schemes is essential, as these can quickly undo the benefits for biodiversity intended. Where present on site existing invasive species should be removed to enhance the habitat, and prevent any further spread and damage to surrounding habitats. Further information on invasive plants can found on the NatureScot website.
MEASURE 1: PLANTS FOR POLLINATORS
Gardens and landscaping of amenity areas is a staple of many developments. Careful selection of species to support wildlife is one of the simplest changes that can be made for biodiversity. The aim is to provide as much variety as possible. The greater the diversity of plants and variety of plant families the more invertebrate species that will benefit, especially pollinators.
The selection of plants to be used should consider diversity, flowering times, the opportunities they provide for shelter and provision of food sources for animals. Plan for the time of year the plants are flowering, and for how long. Ensuring that there is a mix of flower species available for as much of the year as possible without gaps is important. Consider species that provide good shelter (especially all year round shelter), and edible seeds and fruits for wildlife. Spring flowering trees and shrubs are vital nectar and pollen sources for pollinators in early spring, and late flowering species and Ivy are crucial at the end of the year.
This can all be achieved through careful plant selection, choosing plants suitable for the location and site’s soil and environmental conditions and avoiding invasive species.
Climbing plants can grow up shrubs and trees, or use walls and structures for support. They provide additional space and niches for wildlife by allowing plants and animals to utilise vertical space, for foraging, shelter and nesting. Consideration of the species and supporting features is required to avoid detrimental impacts on the supporting plant and ensure structures are not damaged.
Most plants from bulbs flower in the early season and can be an important resource for early season pollinators, particularly those that have come out of hibernation. Bulbs can be planted and provide a resource in areas where other plants and trees cast too much shade later in the year. Areas of amenity grassland can be planted with early flowering bulbs that can be cut once the leaves arising from the bulbs have died back. Bulbs can also be planted into some meadow areas, though caution is needed to ensure it will not out-compete the meadow species or be invasive to other habitats.
Nature Benefitted
Most developments include a garden or landscaping incorporating planting, and using appropriate plants that support wildlife can deliver a significant enhancement. Native plants will usually support the most species.
The plants are themselves part of the biodiversity to be enhanced, but the biggest group of species to benefit will be the pollinators (that the plants are themselves dependent upon), and a number of other invertebrate species together with their predators. These include many mammal and bird species. The bigger the area the larger the variety of plants and the greater the benefits for wildlife.
Key Requirements
Any scale of development can incorporate planting for wildlife, from the use of small planters and containers, pocket and large gardens, to extensive landscaped grounds.
The choice of plants is huge, with species available to suit all soil types, geographic location and local environmental conditions. Native plants are preferred as these will be well suited to supporting wildlife. There is still space for amenity planting, but as many of these species as possible should be wildlife or pollinator friendly. The plant selection should be appropriate for the environment, available maintenance regime, soil type and geographic location. This will ensure the long term survival and success of the species planted.
Future Management
Plants after planting may require a level of fertilisation and watering till they are able to establish. Future levels of management can depend on the species planted, with some requiring no or little on-going effort while others can require regular cutting back, pruning, watering, mulching and protecting to maintain them in good condition. Plants should be monitored to ensure they have established and are in good health. Dead plants should be replaced and if a species is found to have heavy losses or struggle then replacement with another, more suitable, species should be considered.
Management should not be onerous for small areas, but for more extensive areas a simple planting and management plan may be appropriate to ensure the necessary management is undertaken in the future.
Complementary Measures
Pollinator and wildlife planting can be a consideration for incorporating into a number of measures involving plants. These include living roofs, walls and screens (measures 5 and 6), wildlife walls (measure 12), rain gardens (measure 19), and the setting of biodiverse SuDS ponds (measure 21).
Nature Notes
Different pollinators have different body forms that require certain flower shapes to be able to get into. Many pollinators (especially bees) need both pollen and nectar, requiring a variety of plants. Not all flowers are equal in terms of their availability and provision of resources for pollinators. Some will have less nectar and pollen, while other flowers that have been breed for aesthetic characteristics (for example extra petals), can block wildlife’s access to pollen and nectar. These should be avoided when selecting plants to use. Caution should also be taken not to use species that could be invasive or have negative effects if they were to seed or sucker into surrounding habitats.
There does not have to be a trade-off between attractive gardens and landscaped grounds, and benefitting biodiversity. We have a huge variety of native species that are often long flowering and attractive. With careful species selection not only does this create an attractive landscape, but these species often require less maintenance and have a higher level of survival than non-natives.
Further Information
- On making development pollinator friendly see NatureScot’s Guidance – pollinators in planning and construction guide
- On the selection of plants see the Royal Horticultural Society’s Find a plant database (to produce a filtered list of wildlife and pollinator friendly species) and the RHS plants for pollinators guide
- On plants for wildlife see the RSPB’s All about the plants guide and the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership's wildlife gardening
- On plants for bees see the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Gardening for bumblebees, and The Wildlife Trusts’ How to attract bumblebees to your garden and The best plants for bees and pollinators
- On plants for butterflies see Butterfly Conservation’s guides for Caterpillar food plants and Nectar plants for butterflies, and the Wildlife Trusts’ How to attract butterflies to your garden
- On plants for moths see the Wildlife Trusts’ How to attract moths and bats to your garden and the RSPB’s Grow food for moths
MEASURE 2: WILDFLOWER MEADOW
A wildflower meadow consists of a variety of wild grasses and wildflowers, generally growing on poorer or unimproved soils so that less vigorous species are not out-competed and lost. Meadows can be large, enhancing the biodiversity value of a public greenspace, or small, occupying a small corner of a garden or established as part of a bee bank or similar biodiversity measure. They include a range of different forms:
- Short lawn meadow – in place of the common monoculture grass lawn using seed mixes or wildflower turves favouring low growing and ground hugging species, which require less cutting than amenity grass.
- Wet meadow – in areas with damp or wet conditions that may periodically flood meadow species can thrive so long as water flows do not carry nutrients into the meadows to maintain nutrient poor conditions
- Hedgerow borders – seed mixes specifically for hedgerows can tolerate a degree of shading, and can supplement the range of wildflowers already present, with the cutting regime needing to allow for the growth of some woody species through the hedge.
- Woodland and shrub understorey – wildflower seeding or using plug plants to enhance existing ground cover, with management of the woody plants to ensure it does not become too shaded.
- Verges beside roads and paths - creating linear meadows where shading, fertile soils and small plots do not constrain.
- Pollinator meadow – using a mix favouring high nectar value species that would not naturally be together nor found within the local area, possibly including garden species, as long as species will not spread into natural habitats.
Nature Benefitted
Wildflower meadows benefit a large number of species. The vegetation supports a diverse range of invertebrate species that depend on these as their food plants, and their flowers support a number of pollinator species. Small mammals (especially hedgehogs and bats), birds and other invertebrates will be supported by the seeds and fruits produced by the plants and resulting increase in prey species. Areas of long grass allowed to die back are valuable for nesting and shelter. Birds of prey, including owls, will also forage across meadows to feed on small mammals.
With appropriate management other plant species will colonise wildflower meadows over time, and these areas can become important reserves for rare plants. The larger the meadow that is created, the more functionally diverse habitat that will be established.
Key Requirements
Any development site with an area of grass can look to establish a form of wildflower meadow, taking into account the size of the available area, surrounding habitats, soil type and local environmental conditions. For a large meadow the whole area may not suit a single seed mix, and soil and ground type should be assessed.
When development has left an area of grassland undisturbed, by starting an appropriate cutting regime existing species suppressed by past management can grow and be able to produce seed. Where the ground has been disturbed, or covered with soil from elsewhere on the site or offsite, the seed bank may have been disturbed. If the area has been previously seeded or high performing amenity grasslands turfs laid then these can outcompete wild species, requiring the area to first be scarified or cleared.
When creating a meadow from seed or turves the species selected should be in keeping with those found within the local area, from a local source where possible, and avoiding standard mixes that may not be appropriate for the site’s ground and climatic conditions. Ground preparation and a maintenance schedule that includes weeding of unwanted species, cutting regime, potentially some reseeding and removing cut material to reduce site nutrients will be key to its success. Resources for management must be available to manage the meadow and keep it in good condition.
Future Management
Meadows require regular maintenance and this can be higher during their establishment and getting them into good condition. Cutting regimes are the main management requirement regimes once established.
Meadows need to be cut regularly, in many cases twice a year. The first cut is in the autumn, usually around October when the plants have set seed for the next year (checking seed pods have released seeds), the second in the early spring before flowering plants have started to grow tall. Timings can vary to avoid some species becoming dominant. Following cutting the vegetation should be left for several days to allow seed to drop, and then removed to maintain the meadow’s low nutrient level.
For some plants (for example primrose and cowslip) there is always an active part of the plants growing crown above the surface of the ground and the height of the cut needs to avoid damaging this. When cutting wet meadows care should be taken to ensure the ground does not get rutted or compacted by cutting machinery.
Plants within woodland and shrub areas may not need to be cut as regularly as open grassland, but it needs to be enough to stop unwanted species from becoming dominant while not negatively effecting the plants being encouraged. Thinning of trees and establishment of woody vegetation might also be required. For hedgerows woody species such as bramble can be allowed to establish in some areas so some zones of the hedge might have different management regimes.
The meadow should be regularly inspected for non-native and invasive species that can reduce its diversity over time. Dominant grass species can also reduce wildflower diversity as it matures, requiring cutting, scarifying and re-seeding to manage this, or alternatively seed in yellow rattle which is parasitic on grasses and will reduce their dominance.
Regular surveys can be undertaken to see how well species have established and what species have come in over time. The management regime may need revising to benefit species that have naturally established or failed to establish well, with reseeding or plug planting into the sward.
Complementary Measures
A number of measures can incorporate mini-wildflower meadows including orchards (measure 3), living roofs (measure 5), hibernacula (measure 9) and bee banks (measure 10). Wet meadow mix can be used in wildlife ditches and swales (measure 20) if not permanently covered by water, around biodiverse SuDS ponds (measure 21) and wildlife ponds (measure 22).
As wildflower meadows are important habitats for nocturnal insects and foraging bats, where light sources are necessary these should be wildlife friendly (measure 18).
Nature Notes
When the correct seed mix for the area and habitat is chosen and combined with a suitable cutting regime, a wildflower meadow creates a diverse and large number of flowering species, positively enhancing the landscape and biodiversity. Where there is concern that a meadow might be perceived as an area of grass not being maintained then signage or interpretation boards can explain their purpose, wildlife benefit and some of the wildflower species and wildlife to look for. This will help to increase awareness and build community buy in, preventing the potential for negative reaction from local users.
Further Information
- On restoring, creating and managing wildflower meadows see the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Grassland restoration and creation… for bumblebees or the RSPB’s Create a wildflower meadow
- Plantlife’s guide on Managing grassland road verges provides information of wider interest for managing wildflower grassland
- On small meadows see the RSPB’s Make a mini-meadow guidance
- On the selection of plants see the Royal Horticultural Society’s Find a plant database (to produce a filtered list of native wildflowers)
MEASURE 3: NEW AND OLD GROWTH ORCHARDS
Orchards consist of five or more fruit or nut trees that are planted for the food they produce, often with a mix of different species and variety of fruit trees. They can be planted in larger gardens, or a community orchard can be established within the communal green space shared by the residents or users of the site. Existing traditional or old growth orchards can be found on sites subject to development, and these can be brought back into condition with pruning, taking grafts to establish new trees of the same variety, and reintroducing management.
Orchards are more than the trees, with an understorey that can be sown and managed as a meadow, fallen trees and log piles providing deadwood features, and often enclosed by a hedgerow (containing flowering shrubs such as hawthorn and dog rose) or wall.
Nature Benefitted
Orchards can be exceptionally species rich environments, with the most valuable comprising multiple trees of multiple species. They provide important floral resources (especially for early season pollinators), and a large number of invertebrate species like this type of habitat or feed directly from the trees. The fruit borne by the trees in autumn provide an important sugar source for many late season insects and food source for many bird species, with larger fruits lasting in to the winter.
As orchard trees grow and mature they will provide a suitable substrate for many species of lichen and moss to grow on, with many of conservation interest reliant on this type of habitat. Veteran trees can also contain rot holes and sap runs which are important feeding and nesting habitat for a wide variety of bird and invertebrate species. As orchards support large insect populations they also support their predators, including many bird and small mammal species. The ground flora and flowering shrubs in any attached hedgerows also provide important sources of additional nectar for dead wood invertebrates (which are often not very good dispersers).
Key Requirements
Orchards can be very variable in size, from as few as five fruit trees in a garden or on a small site, to multiple groups of trees on a larger site. The soil must be of adequate depth and type to support the trees, and avoid frost pockets where possible. The trees will need to be protected from browsing animals, such as rabbits or deer. The ability to manage the ground cover and undertake regular pruning is required, which will be greater for old growth orchards.
Future Management
When orchard trees are first established some watering may be required to ensure their establishment. A schedule of yearly pruning will encourage the trees to develop the best form for bearing fruit, and produce strong fruit crops. Rejuvenating an old growth orchard may require harsher pruning to restore the health of the trees, and more understorey management to remove any weedy or invasive species which have become established.
Any other biodiversity measures incorporated into the orchard, such as bird boxes, will need to be maintained as required.
Complementary Measures
A large number of other measures can be incorporated in an orchard, including bee boxes and bricks, and a bee bank (measure 10) where there is a large enough open space with direct sunlight without canopy cover. Bee species that use these boxes and banks are some of the best pollinators of fruit trees.
Log and leaf piles (measure 8), hibernacula (measure 9), bug hotels and boxes (measure 11) and hedgehog houses (measure 12) will encourage invertebrates, amphibians and small mammals that predate on other invertebrate species that could cause damage to the orchard, providing a natural pest control. Bird and bat boxes (measures 13 and 15) can be placed on older orchard trees that are able to support their weight, or on trees or structures nearby, with young birds especially preying on potentially damaging caterpillar species. As orchards can be important habitats for nocturnal insects and foraging bats, where light sources are necessary these should be wildlife friendly (measure 18).
A wildlife wall (measure 16) or hedgerow (measure 7) can be used to establish the orchard’s perimeter and provide shelter. A wall also provides basking areas for many invertebrate species, and the hedgerow can complement the orchard’s resources for pollinators and predators. The understorey of the orchard can be sown with a wildflower meadow mix (measure 2).
Nature Notes
Old growth orchards are valuable historic and biodiversity features that usually support a large diversity of wildlife. However they have been in rapid decline in our landscape, and where abandoned for some time orchard trees can take several years to return them to good condition. Therefore where development includes an old orchard in its grounds efforts should be made to protect and enhance it where possible. New orchards, even small ones, will enhance biodiversity, and can be an important community feature.
Further Information
- On planting and enhancing an orchard see NatureScot’s Garden for orchards to help local wildlife guide and the Woodland Trust’s Orchards guide
- For a wide range of advice, information and practical management guides see The People’s Trust for Endangered Species Traditional orchards project
MEASURE 4: TREES, SCRUB AND WOODLAND
Trees take many years to establish and provide good habitat, and therefore retaining existing trees, scrub and woodland wherever possible will be of greatest amenity and biodiversity value. But planting trees and woodland, or allowing them to regenerate, can provide an important enhancement for biodiversity, whether as individual trees, rows of trees, a small copse, mini woodland or more extensive woods. Native trees appropriate to the area should be prioritised as these will support the most wildlife, but non-natives can benefit biodiversity when their flowers, fruits, berries and seeds can be utilised by wildlife, avoiding any that could self-seed and become invasive or damage habitats in the surrounding area.
Street and Feature Trees - Street trees can be planted in tree pits within roads or pavements, or within gardens or grounds beside a road or path. Lining a route they can provide a corridor for wildlife to move through a new development, that can connect to landscape planting, hedgerows and greenspace on and off site. Feature trees can be planted in groups or corridors helping to link habitat and greenspace. Planting of trees in gardens, parks and green space can also provide benefits for sustainable urban drainage schemes and urban cooling, as well as biodiversity.
Scrub and Woodland creation - Tree species considered native and in keeping with the local area should be preferred, suited to the ground type and habitat to be created. This can include riparian or wet woodland species that enjoy wetter conditions (such as alder and willow), and can be planted at the edge of wetland or water features. The value of the existing habitat that will be replaced by trees, its availability within the area and species using it needs to be considered, as well as any risk of self-seeding damaging adjacent habitats.
Scrub consists of smaller stature tree species that develop dense shelter, and should be planted as part of any woodland. Many shrub species produce flowers and fruit that are valuable for wildlife. Smaller scrub and climbing species can be planted at the woodland edge and as understorey in larger plantings, together with appropriate ground cover planting. The wood should ideally be sited to connect with surrounding habitats such as existing woodland, grassland and hedgerows.
Nature Benefitted
Native tree species support a large number of native species, providing leaves for invertebrates to feed on, floral resources for early season pollinators, berry and seeds for birds (particularly important for winter migratory species). They also provide shelter, roost and nest sites, and can connect habitats within and around development
Planted or naturally regenerated woodland benefits a very wide range of biodiversity, increasing as it matures, and of greater benefit when connecting other habitats together. Invertebrates benefit from the food provided by a diverse understorey and ground cover, and many tree species flower early in the season which can be essential for early pollinators. Many bird species will be supported with nesting sites, using the dense shelter provided by scrub and its invertebrates, berries and nectar rich flowers for food.
Small mammals gain foraging and shelter (and larger mammals in bigger woodlands), including hedgehogs, red squirrel and pine martens. The tree species themselves and certain woodland types can be a priority for action in Local Biodiversity Action Plan, for example establishing new areas of Aspen. Riparian woodland will also provide benefits for riparian species, and as an important part of the aquatic system providing shelter and organic input.
Key Requirements
Street and feature trees can be planted where space only allows for a single tree if suitable soil depth and type is present, with space for growth over time. A large enough area of living soil around the tree should be left unpaved so that it can properly feed and support the tree, and allow enough water to reach their roots.
A woodland requires an area large enough to include multiple trees of a mix of species, and ideally with scrub around its edge. A smaller area may be able to accommodate just scrub planting, or scrub with a few emergent trees. The trees need to be spaced out to allow enough light to penetrate and sustain ground cover and scrub. The soil depth and type must be suitable for the selected tree species.
Future Management
Street and feature trees may require watering when first established to ensure survival, and any tree stakes and guards checked and adjusted. Trees should be regularly checked to ensure they remain health and disease free, and any trees that die replaced and damaged limbs removed.
Woodland planting trees will need to be checked to ensure they are established, losses replaced, tree tubes or supports adjusted and eventually removed. Where there is high grazing pressure either from wild or domestic herbivores, appropriate fencing and its maintenance may be required. The woodland edge should not be heavily managed, as it will be more valuable if shrubs are allowed to flower and fruit freely, without being cut back. As trees become established it may be necessary to thin them or prune branches to ensure adequate spacing and enough light reaches ground cover plants. Seeding, planting of plug plants and selective cutting may be required to help the ground storey establish. Regular inspections should be made of the planted and surrounding area to locate and remove any invasive species.
A woodland management plan to guide long term management should be prepared, including the need to maintain any other biodiversity measures such as bird or bat boxes incorporated in the woodland.
Complementary Measures
Street trees if large enough can hold bird and bat boxes (measures 13 and 15), but only on quiet roads and where the entrance and main movements to nearby trees and other foraging habitat will avoid the road when entering and leaving the box.
As it will take some years for woodland to mature, other measures should be considered for enhancing biodiversity while the trees are young.
Log and leaf piles (measure 8), hibernacula (measure 9), and bug hotels and boxes (measure 11) can increase the niches available in newly created or existing areas of scrub and woodland. Hedgehog houses (measure 12) can be used where there is sufficient shelter, or placed within a log and leaf pile. Woodland and scrub provides foraging habitat for hedgehogs and other small mammals, and should be connected with other habitats by incorporating in to a hedgehog highway.
Planted trees will not initially support bird, owl or bat boxes (measures 13, 14 and 15), but these could be placed on structures or poles within or near to the area. A future woodland pond (measure 22) can be created around which the woodland will grow, creating an additional rich habitat.
Nature Notes
Tree, scrub and woodland planting require careful species choice to ensure they do not result in future concerns. Selecting species with a certain maximum height can prevent concerns with screening wanted views, or casting shade over areas where it is not wanted. If there are concerns with heavy leaf litter fall, selecting species with smaller leaves and leaf burdens and a faster rate of leaf decomposition can mitigate this.
Woodland and scrub habitat can provide a range of nature based solutions, including blocking light pollution, absorbing noise pollution, providing shelter for development, capturing air pollutants and soaking up excess water. Woodland is also highly valued for the fruit, berries and amenity it provides, and where appropriate public access should be planned from the outset.
Further Information
- For information on native tree species and value to wildlife see the Woodland Trust’s A – Z of British trees, and the Royal Horticultural Society’s Find a plant database (to produce a filtered list of native trees for suitable for different conditions)
- On establishing a small woodland or scrub see The Wildlife Trusts’ How to make a woodland edge garden for wildlife and How to make a shrub garden for wildlife
- For general advice and information on street trees see Forest Research’s Resources Street trees
MEASURE 5: LIVING ROOFS - GREEN, BROWN AND BLUE
Living roofs come in a number of different forms, but all incorporate a growing medium that supports plants and possibly other habitat features. They can be included on residential, commercial or public buildings, and minor structures such as bus stops, maintenance sheds, bike stores and bin sheds. Living roof types are distinguished by the level of management they require, which reflects the depth of substrate and species growing.
Extensive Green Roofs: Sedum, Wildflower and Biodiverse - Extensive green roofs have a shallow substrate (6 – 15 cm deep), require limited maintenance, no irrigation system and usually do not provide for general access. Their installation on a building generally includes, in order, a thermal insulation layer, waterproof liner with protective layer sealing the roof, water retention mat that allows rain water to be stored with a filter fleece preventing soil contamination and drain for excess water, covered by a soil layer. Utility structures such as bike and bin sheds have a simpler construction, often with bee, bug and bird boxes fixed to their sides.
A sedum roof is one of the simplest and lightest green roofs, incorporating 6 - 8 cm of soil. A sedum ‘carpet’ can be laid on the soil layer or plug plants used, and other herb species introduced amongst the sedums. A wildflower roof incorporates a deeper 8 – 15 cm soil layer to provide suitable rooting depth for taller wildflower species (from seed, plug plants or wildflower turf). A short lawn mix or other drought tolerant seed mix could be used where occasional drought is likely to be an issue.
A biodiverse roof is similar to a wildflower roof, but instead of a uniform substrate it varies in depth between 8 – 15 cm to form small dips and hummocks, and incorporates gravel, stones and dead wood. Dips can be lined with stones and rocks to form small temporary pools during heavy rain, and hummocks planted with deeper rooted species. This can be sown with seed, planted with plug plants or laid with wildflower turfs. When the soil is unplanted to allow colonisation from windblown seed and seeds in bird droppings, these are known as brown roofs.
A solar biodiverse roof is similar to the above but with the addition of rows of angled solar panels upon metal frames. A deeper substrate of 10 – 20 cm can help sustain deeper rooted and less drought tolerant wildflower species, and the shade from the solar panels creates sheltered microclimates and damper areas for invertebrates. Where drought is a particular threat then more drought resilient species can be planted. The plants on this form of green roof help cool the solar panels, making them up to 8% more efficient.
Intensive and Semi Intensive Green Roofs - A semi intensive green roof has a soil layer of 12 – 25 cm, allowing larger perennial and woody species as well as small scrub species to be planted, or drought tolerant plants if needed. An intensive green roof has a much deeper soil layer of up to 1 metre, and can support almost any size of vegetation including appropriate tree species. Blue green roof elements can be included to store water and lessen the need of larger plants for additional watering. These roofs can be used for creating semi-formal garden, food growing and connected leisure spaces if they are accessible.
Blue Green Roofs - These roofs provide for additional rainwater retention by incorporating a void to retain water between the waterproof liner and standard reservoir layer above, with an overflow to prevent the soil layer from being flooded. The soil depth will vary depending on the wildflower, shrub and tree species desired, and more drought tolerant plants may still be required in dry areas. Areas of open water can also be formed with small ponds fed by the rainwater store.
Nature Benefitted
While not confined to urban areas, these features can act as important stepping stones in towns and cities for a wide variety of species, especially invertebrates, by providing more habitat patches and potential habitat corridors. The use of stones can provide invertebrate basking areas, and dead wood more shelter. Green roofs can also provide important habitat for many bird species, including some waders that will use them for nesting. Native wild plants can be selected to support local priority species, providing important refugia and helping their spread through the local area.
Key Requirements
Living roofs can be incorporated on any size of roof space where its additional weight can be taken by the structure and the roof remains impervious, which requires specialist design and structural advice. As they are designed to retain water on the roof its water proofing must be appropriate for the conditions under a green roof.
Access to water during dry periods, and for the intensive roofs an irrigation system, will be required other than for the more drought tolerant and those that are allowed to die back and reseed. The more complex the vegetation the more irrigation will be needed. Access for managing vegetation will be required, particularly for intensive green roofs.
Small utility structures may be able to add an extensive green roof more easily as long as its structural strength is adequate. These will be lighter, incorporating a sedum, wildflower meadow or brown roof, with less water retaining capacity.
Future Management
Plants on a living roof will require annual management that should be set out in a maintenance plan. This includes the cutting and pruning of planted species, weeding unwanted and thinning dominant species, removal of any inappropriate woody or deep rooted species to prevent damage, and monitoring and eradication of any invasive species (especially on roofs where self-seeding is encouraged). If planted or seeded species fail or plant diversity declines replacement species more suited can be introduced. Intensive roofs will require greater effort, and solar biodiverse roofs will need to be managed to ensure vegetation does not interfere with the solar panels.
In dry periods irrigation will be required depending on the type of vegetation and species planted. Extensive roofs where dieback is of concern may require occasional irrigation, but intensive roofs with deep soil and larger plants will require more regular irrigation. Green roofs on utility structures with their thin soil may require regular watering during a dry period. Where an irrigation system is built in this needs to be maintained and monitored to ensure it is functioning.
Complementary Measures
Log piles (measure 8), bee bricks, boxes and banks (measure 10) and bug hotels and boxes (measure 11) can be placed in sheltered areas and preferably fixed to the roof where they cannot be knocked or blown off. Bird and bat boxes (measures 13 and 15) can be placed upon the roof or structures that are on the roof. It might also be possible to build structures as part of the green roof to secure these.
Living roofs can support many of the plants for pollinators (measure 1) and species found in wildflower meadows (measure 2), where they can adapt to a thin soil.
Nature Notes
The Butterfly Conservation Scotland have run a project encouraging the planting of Common rock-rose across Edinburgh to support the rare butterfly Northern Brown Argus found on nearby Arthur’s Seat. This food plant has been included on green roofs across Edinburgh including the Scottish Parliament building, providing habitat stepping stones across the capital.
Green roofs are an important nature-based solution, providing a number of benefits including slowing water runoff, controlling excess water, moderating building temperature, urban cooling and absorbing air pollutants (especially from road traffic).
Further Information
- On their design, installation and maintenance see The Green Roof Organisation’s Green Roof Code 2021
- n designing and managing green roofs for bugs see Buglife’s Creating green roofs for invertebrates
- For more background and case studies see The Scottish Green Roof Forum’s Green roofs part of Scotland’s sustainable future, Livingroofs.org website, and the Greater London Authority’s Living roofs and walls from policy to practice
MEASURE 6: GREEN WALL AND GREEN SCREEN
Green / Living Wall - These consist of a structure on the outer wall of a building supporting containers, shelves or pockets with plants, usually with a hidden irrigation system to ensure the vegetation remains watered. The plants can be selected to include flowers for pollinators and seed and fruit for birds, and absorb pollutants from busy roads. Bee, bug and bird boxes can be incorporated in the green wall.
Green Screen / Facade - These are a fence or trellis like structure supporting climbing plants and tall shrubs planted in the ground. Flowering and fruit bearing plants will support pollinators, taking care to avoid potentially invasive species that may have negative effects upon the surrounding habitat. Green screens can be used to hide unattractive areas (for example bin sheds), and absorb pollutants from roads next to a development. Bee, bug and bird boxes can be incorporated into the green screen.
Nature Benefitted
Depending on the plant species selected, their number and diversity, green walls and screens can benefit a range of species. This includes providing important resources for pollinators and where fruit producing species are planted, food for birds. The vegetation also provides food for invertebrates and shelter and breeding space that can be limited in urban areas for a range of species. As green walls and screens provide areas of vegetation where there is usually none, they provide essential stepping stones for species to move through urban areas.
Key Requirements
Green walls require a wall substantial enough to take the weight of the structure, growing medium and plants, and access to water for the irrigation system. Where the wall covers multiple storeys, specialist engineering will be needed to waterproof the structure and take the weight. Access to erect the green wall and undertake future management will be essential. Green walls can also be incorporated into small boundary and feature walls where suitable irrigation can be provided.
Green screens are easier to put in place as a much less substantial structure is required. They can be used on many developments, but cannot be as tall as a green wall. Plants must be suited to the site’s soil type and conditions. Some types of wall may be damaged by some climbing species so careful consideration of species used and walls finish must be considered.
Future Management
A green wall on a building is a specialist structure whose components will require maintenance as specified by its designer. The irrigation system will require inspection to ensure it is both functional and delivering an adequate water supply to all plants. Vegetation will also require checking during maintenance inspections, with struggling, diseased or dead plants replaced, and any self-seeded and unwanted species removed. Other biodiversity measures on the wall such as bee, bug and bird boxes will also require checking.
A green screen needs regular checking to ensure it remains stable, secure and in good condition. Plants can be inspected as required from ground level, and any struggling, diseased or dead plants replaced, and unwanted species removed. Pruning may be required to avoid interference with guttering or windows. Other biodiversity measures incorporated on the screen such as bee, bug and bird boxes will also require checking.
Complementary Measures
Bee bricks and boxes (measure 10), bug boxes (measure 11), bird boxes (measure 13) and bat boxes (measure 15) can all be incorporated into green walls and screens to provide additional habitat niches. A wildlife wall (measure 16) can be added at the base of a ground level green wall or incorporated into a green screen by growing climbing plants up the wall or planting plants into the wall.
Nature Notes
Green walls and screens are not just good for biodiversity, but also absorb air pollutants (especially from traffic), control excess water (if using a recycling system) and contribute to urban cooling. Where ground space is limited on a development site, by utilising vertical space green walls and screens can increase the amount of planted space considerably. While there can be concerns with climbing plants on buildings, in practice this is not an issue if the wall is sound and selected species are appropriate.
Further Information
- On creating a green screen and selecting climbing plants see the RSPB’s Cloak your walls with climbing plants, and the Royal Horticultural Society’s Find a plant database (to produce a filtered list of wildlife and pollinator friendly climbing plants that can be used in creating green screens)
- For general advice and information see The Scottish Green Infrastructure Forum guidance on creating green walls and the Livingroofs.org website
MEASURE 7: BOUNDARY HEDGE
Hedges can be used to demarcate the internal and external boundaries of a development provide a range of opportunities for enhancing biodiversity.
Native Hedge - A native hedge comprises hedge species that are primarily native to the area in which it is planted, including its understorey and emergent trees. The species will vary dependent on the conditions, but can be selected to support particular wildlife, such as multiple flowering species to benefit pollinators, encouraging climbing species like dog rose and brambles to create additional shelter (as well as flowers and fruit), and planting a margin either side of the hedgerow to be managed for wildflowers. Creating a dense structure to the hedge is important for providing nest sites within it, and understorey planting can create shelter for many ground nesting species. Establishing a hedge on a raised bank, and in association with a ditch provides more diverse habitats for invertebrates.
Amenity Hedge - Amenity hedges may include native and non-native species, of one or more species. Beech and hornbeam are commonly planted, but do not provide flowers for pollinators, produce no berries, few species are able to eat the foliage and ground flora can be limited. Species like Rosa rugosa, cotoneaster and laurel do support wildlife but can be invasive in some habitats and particularly damaging. Other non-native and native species can be used to achieve high biodiversity value while avoiding these risks.
Nature Benefitted
Hedgerows can benefit a very large number of species but this will vary depending on its species composition and siting. In general the use of native species and greater diversity will tend to be of more biodiversity benefit, which can be enhanced where trees are allowed to emerge from the hedge (further supporting insects and providing nest sites when mature). They can also provide important corridors for wildlife to move around a development site and link areas of habitat, both within the development and with adjacent areas.
Native hedgerows are important habitats for invertebrates, pollinators, mammals and birds, providing shelter, food, roost and nest sites, and corridors for movement. They can provide hunting for bats and birds of prey, and their fruit can be an important food source for winter migratory birds. They also act as large reservoirs of invertebrates, and large mammals like fox and badger will use hedges for movement and for constructing setts.
Amenity hedgerows can still support a range of wildlife with careful choice of hedging species, especially for pollinators, and will provide shelter and corridors for movement (such as hedgehogs). Evergreen hedges provide shelter throughout the year. The commonly planted monoculture beech hedge provides good shelter (as it retains its leaves over winter) but toxins in the leaves limit the undergrowth and the insects that can be supported. Of greater benefit are hedgerows with a wider variety of amenity species with vegetation more palatable to insects, have flowers which can support pollinators, produce fruit for wildlife and encourage an understorey attractive to wildlife.
Key Requirements
Hedgerows can be used to establish external boundaries or create internal divisions of whatever length that is required. The site requires suitable soil type and depth to sustain the hedgerow species selected., although the large range of potential native and amenity species means this is unlikely to be a constraint.
Hedgerows require some management to keep them in the best condition for biodiversity, but very heavy management can reduce flowering and fruiting. Native hedges require more space but less disturbance for management.
Future Management
Hedgerows benefit from careful cutting and pruning to maintain its structure of dense vegetation. They do not need to have a uniform shape or height, and varying the location and frequency of cutting by leaving different areas uncut each year can support greater biodiversity. Regular checks for invasive species that can lead to a loss of structure and species diversity are required.
Where meadow species comprise the hedgerow understorey they may require cutting (in autumn after seed sets and in spring before growth starts), ensuring shrub and tree species are not damaged. Any other complementary measures incorporated in the hedgerow will also require maintenance.
For larger developments a long term management plan that takes account of the need for changes in management as the hedgerow matures is advised.
Complementary Measures
Log and leaf piles (measure 8), bug boxes and hotels (measure 11) and hedgehog homes (measure 12) can be placed in sheltered positions in existing or newly established hedgerows, or added later as the hedgerow matures. Hibernacula (measure 9) can be placed along the base of the hedge outside of the root protection zone to avoid disturbing its roots. These add structures and niches within the hedgerow, and provide more overwintering shelter.
Hedgerows can be a component of hedgehog highways (measure 12), but wildlife friendly lighting (measure 18) should be used regardless as hedgerows provide a valuable foraging and transit corridor for many nocturnal insects and small mammals including bats. Wildlife ditches and swales (measure 20) can also complement hedgerows, ensuring that it is dug outside the root protection zone of an existing hedge. Meadow wildflowers (measure 2) can be sown in a strip alongside hedges, as well as under them to create an understorey layer with a tailored hedgerow mix, providing an additional food source for a wide variety of species
Many types of small bird box (measure 13) other than swift, swallow and house martin boxes can be placed within the hedge or on emergent trees as long as there is access to the box entrance for the birds and maintenance. Open fronted nest boxes particularly benefit from the additional shelter provided within the hedgerow. Barn owl boxes (measure 14) and bat boxes (measure 15) can be fixed to mature emergent trees or a pole within the hedgerow.
Orchards (measure 3) can have a native hedgerow boundary around them, providing shelter for young fruit trees and additional resources for pollinators after they have flowered in the spring. They also provide over wintering shelter for pollinators and insects that can control damaging herbivore outbreaks in the orchard.
Nature Notes
Hedgerows are in serious decline within our landscape as a result of removal and poor management. They are often cut and pruned regularly, but this can result in dead and less dense areas, reducing the shelter they provide. Regular cutting can also damage flower and fruit production if undertaken at the wrong time, and careful consideration of the cutting regime is required.
Further Information
- For a wide range of advice on creating and managing hedgerows see Hedgelink’s Resources
- On creating and managing garden hedgerows see the RSPB’s Best hedges for wildlife
- On the selection of plants see the Royal Horticultural Society’s Find a plant database (to produce a filtered list of wildlife and pollinator friendly hedgerow species)
Providing Homes for Nature
23. The specific requirements of different species for shelter and nesting are many and varied. Provision for many can be included in the gardens and grounds surrounding the built elements of a development, while some can easily be incorporated into the buildings, structures and boundaries themselves.
24. Providing for many common species will be widely applicable across Scotland, but note should be taken of what species occur in the area or are likely to be attracted by the measures. Many artificial measures, such as bird boxes and bug hotels, provide immediate opportunities for wildlife (although their use is not guaranteed), in comparison to measures requiring time to grow and mature. But their success will be dependent on there being appropriate habitat available to provide the necessary food and shelter.
25. When providing homes and habitat that will attract animals in to areas, it is important to ensure they are not exposed to unintentional dangers. This includes avoiding the risks presented by road traffic, and entrapment in drains and gully pots.
MEASURE 8: LOG AND LEAF PILES
These features are loosely organised pile of logs and / or leaves that create a habitat of slowly decaying wood and leaf litter. The material should be sourced on site (or from as close as possible), to reduce the risk of spreading pests and pathogens.
Log Pile - A shallow scrape is dug in the ground which is lined with leaf litter or wood chips. Logs of varying sizes are arranged irregularly on top of this to create a wide range of different sized voids and entrances. Smaller logs and twigs can be placed in gaps, and leaf litter can added over the top. There is no exact correct way of construction and additions of leaf litter or bark chips can be made.
Leaf Mulch Cage - A cage is created from wood posts and chicken wire and filled with leaf litter or other mulch materials. On one or two sides of the cage a 13 cm gap is left between the ground and side wall to provide access to the decayed leaf mulch for small mammals and amphibians, and for extracting garden mulch if required.
Leaf Litter Pile - An area is designated for the leaf pile and then fallen leaves are continuously added. More structure can be provides by incorporating this with a log pile. The difference from the leaf cage is the pile is less contained and not developed to allow harvesting of leaf litter mulch for gardens.
Nature Benefitted
These provide food and shelter for a very large range of invertebrate species, small mammals, birds and amphibians. They can be particularly important for hedgehog hibernation and amphibian species. Many insectivorous bird species will use these as foraging habitat. They can also be important for pollinator species, especially moth and butterflies, with some using them to hibernate and pupate in.
Key Requirements
Requiring 1 – 2 meters squared, several Log Piles, Leaf Mulch Cage and Litter Piles can be easily established across a site depending on the scale of the development. No specialist skills are required for their construction or maintenance. Each requires a site with minimal disturbance and at least partial shading to reduce drying out and restricting the invertebrate habitat (for Log Piles bark chips and leaf litter can help contain moisture). Siting in different habitats with different levels of shades will support more biodiversity.
Leaf Piles and Mulch Cages similarly require a shaded site with minimal disturbance. As leaf mulch rots down (or is sensitively harvested from the base) new leaf material must be continually added to the top.
Future Management
Upon handover of the development to owner / factor, the location, purpose and maintenance of these features should be clearly documented.
All three features will require new wood or leaf material to be added as the original material decays, using material collected on site (avoiding the addition of grass clippings as they can result in anaerobic conditions and reduce diversity). Leaf Piles may require additional leaf litter added more regularly or built up in the autumn as it will decay faster. If mulch is to be harvested for gardens from Leaf Mulch Cages this needs to be done carefully so as not to disrupt the habitat and should avoid hedgehog breeding and hibernation periods.
Complementary Measures
All three features can be incorporated in to several other measures including, hedgerows (measure 7), woodland and scrub (measure 4) and orchards (measure 3), enhancing the habitat niches available to support a wider range of species. These features can also provide shelter along hedgehog highways and near to hedgehog houses (measure 12), especially for over wintering.
Log or leaf piles can be created on top of buried hibernacula features (measure 9), or incorporated around ponds (measures 21 and 22) to provide year round shelter for amphibians and other invertebrate species (especially to over-winter in). They can also be placed in rain gardens (measure 19) and alongside swales and ditches (measure 20) to shelter over-wintering species and damp loving species during dry weather.
Log Piles particularly can be placed on to living roofs (measure 5) where it is safe to place these.
Nature Notes
There can be some worry about these features encouraging large number of rats and mice. While these features will encourage small mammal species. With careful management they should not increase populations to problem numbers. To make sure this is the case food waste must not be added to any of the piles, as these are not to act as traditional compost heaps and this extra food resource can increase small mammal number to a high level. Also on the same lines these features should not be placed in an area where litter could accumulate or near bins, waste disposal or traditional compost areas.
It is also key to remember that small mammals especially mice and shrews under some circumstance of pest insect outbreaks can be valuable at bringing these under control by preying on the species causing the issue. They are also a critical food source themselves especially for birds of prey and owl populations can be particularly effected.
Further Information
- On creating a Log Pile see RSPB’s Create a log pile for wildlife and The Wildlife Trusts’ How to make a log shelter
- On creating a Leaf Mulch Cage see RSPB’s Create a leaf-mould cage
- On creating a Leaf Pile see People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ How to make a leaf pile or leaf mould and How to make a mulch pile
MEASURE 9: HIBERNACULA
A very wide range of features can be used as hibernacula, such as log and leaf piles (measure 3), but these features are those which are buried in part or full.
Underground Hibernacula and Rock Pile - A whole is dug in the ground and a layer of stones placed on the floor, followed by logs and twigs (and possibly more rocks) to create a chamber within the hole. This can be built up to ground level or higher to form a mound, and covered with soil but leaving access to the covered chamber (access can be achieved by including short sections of pipe). A Rock Pile is a variation, filling the hole with a range of rocks and stones to provide different sized voids, and left uncovered.
Beetle Bucket - A miniature version of the Underground Hibernacula uses a bucket. Holes are made in the side of the bucket to give ground dwelling insects access, and drainage holes are made in the base. The bucket is then filled with stones in the base and logs stood on their ends, with the gaps in between filled with twigs and stones. The bucket is buried under ground with a thin layer of soil over the top.
Nature Benefitted
These provide habitat and shelter for a wide range of invertebrates, small mammals and amphibians. They can be especially important for providing over winter hibernation sites.
Key Requirements
Requiring as little as 1 metre squared, a number of Hibernacula can be easily established across a site depending on the scale of the development. No specialist skills are required for their construction or maintenance, which can utilise site or otherwise unused materials. Each requires an area of ground that will remain undisturbed and not be driven over by machinery for access.
An area with some shade and ground cover is best suited to avoid drying out (this is of less concern where a Bee Mound is constructed on top). For Rock Piles particularly some direct sunlight can help it act as a basking area for insects. Siting in different habitats with different amounts of shade will support more biodiversity.
Future Management
As these features are largely buried and unobtrusive it is particularly important to ensure at handover of the development to the owner / factor that the location, purpose and maintenance of these features is clearly documented. This should ensure that they are kept free of both vehicle and foot traffic as their weight could collapse the hibernacula beneath.
Only a low level of management is required, to ensure entrances into the Hibernacula are be kept clear and unblocked to allow access. Additionally Rock Piles need to be kept clear of encroaching vegetation to leave the area clear and allow sunlight to penetrate.
Complementary Measures
Buried hibernacula and beetle buckets can have log or leaf piles placed on top of them (measure 8), and if built into a mound this can be turned into a bee bank (measure 10). They can be built into hedgerows (measure 7), and placed within scrub and woodland (measure 4) to provide further structure within the habitat to support small mammals and invertebrates. Where new scrub and woodland habitat are being planted time is needed to develop these niches, and introducing Hibernacula can therefore speed this up.
Swales and ditches, biodiverse SuDs ponds and wildlife ponds (measures 20, 21, and 22) can have these features incorporated around their edges, far enough from the water features to make sure they do not flood underground and out of reach of winter flooding. These can act as year round shelter for amphibians and other invertebrate species.
Rock piles can also be established in open areas as many species can use these as basking areas as well as for shelter. These can be incorporated particularly into wildflower meadows (measure 2) to allow basking. Small rock piles can be incorporated into bee banks (measure 10), though care has to be taken to leave enough areas of wildflowers and also not to cover any areas of bare ground.
Nature Notes
These features will support small mammals such as mice and shrews. These feed on invertebrates, including those that can become pests, and can keep their population under control. These and other small mammal species are themselves important prey for many other species, including birds of prey such as owls. While there can be some concern that especially the larger hibernacula features could lead to large numbers of small mammals like mice or rats, with appropriate placement and management this is unlikely to be the case. However they should not be placed near compost heaps containing waste food, near bins or where litter is likely to accumulate.
Further Information
- On creating a hibernaculum see the RSPB’s Make a house for frogs and toads
- On creating a rock Pile see the RSPB’s Make a rock pile
- On creating a beetle bucket see The Wildlife Trusts’ Make a beetle bucket and the RSPB’s Make a beetle bucket
MEASURE 10: HOMES FOR BEES
These features provide small tube like tunnels, 2 – 6 mm in diameter and around 15 cm long, that solitary bee and wasp species require for nests. These bee species do not have ‘worker bees’ serving the nests like social bees, meaning nests are small and contained within the feature.
Bee Bricks - A Bee Brick is a pre-cast brick containing a number of tube like tunnels. The bricks, which are available in a range of shapes, sizes and colours, can be used in the walls of buildings, boundary walls or other structures.
Bee Boxes - A Bee Box is a wooden box similar to a bird box but with no front, that can be attached to a building, structure or tree. The inside of the box is filled with cut bamboo canes and blocks of wood with holes drilled in them to create tunnels.
Bee Bank - A Bee Bank is a simple bank or mound of earth that has ledges cut into it that are covered in sandy soil. These ledges are kept clear of vegetation to provide the bare ground required by tunnel nesting insects such as solitary bee species. The rest of the mound can be seeded with a wildflower mix, providing a local food source. Their size can vary, with large mounds incorporating vertical ‘cliffs’ of bare ground.
Nature Benefitted
These support tunnel nesting insects, particularly solitary bees and species of hunting wasps (and their associated parasitoids many of which are also of conservation interest), and a large number of invertebrate species requiring bare ground, or using tunnels for shelter and hibernation. Where grown wildflower species can provide pollen and nectar for bees, wasps and other invertebrates.
Key Requirements
Multiple Bee Bricks and / or Boxes can be employed depending on the scale of the development.
Bee Bricks should be considered at design stage and incorporated during construction. Bee Boxes can be incorporated at any stage and placed on a range of structures, but require regular inspection for maintenance and potential replacement. Both require placing around 1 meter above the ground with an open unshaded area with a south facing aspect, and the entrance to be kept free of vegetation.
Bee Banks are simple to construct and require no specialist skills. They can be incorporated in to site landscape works, requiring ground space (the smallest mounds being around 2 x 2 meters), exposed to direct sunlight for at least half of the day, and the capacity to manage vegetation and maintain bare ground.
Future Management
On handover of the development to owner / factor, the location, purpose and maintenance of these features should be clearly documented.
Bee Bricks and Bee Boxes require vegetation in front of them to be managed to ensure entrances are not covered or shaded. Bee Boxes are more vulnerable to damage and water ingress over time and require regular inspection, with repairs and replacements only when unoccupied (remembering that during winter the next generation of bees will still be developing in occupied tubes).
Bee banks require regular but low level management. Areas of bare ground must be kept vegetation free, and areas with wildflowers should be cut twice a year in line with normal wildflower meadow management practice. For some ground nesting bees it is important to leave some clumps of grass and tufty edges un-mown for the bees to use.
Complementary Measures
Bee bricks and boxes can be incorporated into several other features, including bug hotels (measure 11), green walls and screens (measure 6), wildlife walls (measure 16), the living roofs and walls of utility green roofed structures (measure 5) and wildlife towers (measure 14). Bee banks can have a hibernacula (measure 9) built under the mound, and the top of the mound seeded with a wildflower meadow mix (measure 2).
It is essential that there is adequate pollinator resources available for bees, with consideration given to use of pollinator plants (measure 1) and wildflower meadows (measure 2). Solitary bee species are some of the best pollinators of fruit crops, and incorporating these features into orchards (measure 3) provides important food source for the bees.
Nature Notes
The solitary bee species supported by these features nest singularly and not in colonies. This is similar for wasp species which may utilise the nests, as well as parasitoid wasp species which attack the nesting species to lay their eggs within them. Many of these species do not sting, or those that might are less aggressive than social species protecting a large well-resourced nest. Instead they will often move to a new nest hole rather than risk injury in defence.
As the species nest singularly they do not pose a risk of the nests expanding outside of the confines of the measure into the wider structure.
Further Information
- On using bee bricks see the Falmouth University guidance
- On creating a bee hotel see the RSPB’s Build a Bee Hotel, NatureScot’s Promoting pollination with bee houses, and Buglife’s Establishing a bee hotel
- On creating a bee bank see Buglife’s How to create a Bee Bank
MEASURE 11: HOMES FOR BUGS
These features provide shelter for a range of species including small invertebrates and mammals.
Bug Hotel - Wooden frames or pallets are securely stacked on top of each other and their voids filled with a variety of materials. The base is usually packed with leaves and logs to support damp loving species, and higher levels packed with wood, straw filled plant pots and similar items to create crevices and gaps for insects to live in. This can include bee bricks and boxes, and wood blocks or logs with drilled holes (measure 1). The hotels can be roofed to reduce damp in upper levels and enhance their attraction for insects like solitary bees. The lower levels especially can also be set up to attract small mammals and amphibians. There is no single correct way to fill the interior of these.
Bug Box - Coming in a variety of shapes and sizes, wooden bug boxes appear similar to a bird box with the front missing. The box is stuffed with twigs, wood blocks and similar to provide a range of cracks and crevices for insects. Boxes can be mounted individually or in groups on suitable features, providing a similar living habitat to part of a bug hotel.
Nature Benefitted
These features provide essential shelter and living habitat for a wide range of species. This includes space for some invertebrates to hibernate, pupate and establish nests. Small mammals and amphibians can also use bug hotels for shelter, and the residents of both hotels and boxes provide a food source for these and bird species.
Key Requirements
A number of bug hotels and boxes can be easily established across a site depending on the scale of the development. No specialist skills are required for their construction or maintenance, which can utilise pallets, off cuts and other unwanted material from the construction process. To avoid potential pests and diseases building up in the hotels and boxes, they should be constructed to allow the elements to clear them out naturally on occasion.
Bug hotels require a ‘pallet sized’ patch of shaded ground, although if looking to encourage solitary bees and sun loving species the upper levels should be in sun light for at least part of the day. Bug boxes can be included on the smallest of sites and mounted on almost any feature with full or partial shade. Unlike bee boxes (measure 10), most invertebrates utilising these will require some shade and moisture.
Future Management
Bug hotels and boxes should be inspected annually and where replacement is required this should take place outside of the hibernation period and small mammal main breeding period. Bug hotels can require leaf litter and rotted logs to be topped up, and the structural pallets will eventually require replacing. Bug boxes should be checked regularly to ensure they are still securely fixed in their position.
Upon handover of development from developer to the owner / factor, the location, purpose and maintenance of these features should be clearly documented.
Complementary Measures
Bee bricks can be included in bug hotels and bug boxes can incorporate similar elements to bee boxes for solitary bees (measure 10).
Both bug hotels and boxes can be placed in various habitats, including woodland and scrub (measure 4) and along hedgerows (measure 7), to provide additional niches within these habitats (especially within urban areas). Within orchards (measure 3) they can sustain invertebrate predators that can help naturally suppress species that are damaging to the orchard. Bug hotels with a cavity in the base large enough for a hedgehog can be placed on a hedgehog highways (measure 12).
Swales and ditches, biodiverse SuDS and ponds (measures 20, 21 and 22) can have bug hotels placed close by but away from the risk of flooding, providing shelter especially during dry periods and for over wintering of the semiaquatic species. If there are suitable structures bug boxes can be mounted.
Wildlife walls, wildlife towers and green walls / screens (measures 16, 17 and 6) can have bug boxes fixed to them. Living roofs (measure 5) can have bug hotels and boxes where their weight can be supported and securely fixed.
Nature Notes
Encouraging bugs in the garden and landscaped areas is unlikely to result in them becoming ‘pests’, as Bug Hotels and Boxes also help boost their predators (invertebrate, small mammal and amphibian species). Their damp environment can provide a refuge over winter not only for bugs but also their predators. These features can therefore help restore a more functional ecosystem, especially in new habitats.
Further Information
- On creating a bug hotel see the guidance by the RSPB and Buglife, and The Wildlife Trusts’ How to build a bug mansion
- On creating a bug box see the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Build an insect hotel
MEASURE 12: HOMES FOR HEDGEHOGS
Hedgehog Highways and Houses are complementary features providing safe shelter, movement and foraging opportunities.
Hedgehog Highway - Hedgehog Highways enable free movement in and around new development to access suitable foraging habitat and discourage access to areas that pose risks (such as road crossings and industrial areas). It involves:
- improving permeability of fences and walls by including a 15cm by 15cm gap in their base (avoiding gaps where hedgehogs would go through them out on to roads or dangerous areas)
- improving connectivity of existing and new habitats both on site and with surrounding habitat, encouraging movement between habitat of an appropriate quality
- creating or using existing areas of scrub and hedgerows to create corridors along with planted areas and meadows
- promoting the management of gardens to encourage hedgehog foraging
Hedgehog Houses - Hedgehog houses provide shelter for hedgehogs during the day, and space for raising young and for hibernation. They comprise a large wooden box with a roof and a long corridor like entrance that can be sited within scrub, under bushes or a hedgerow, in a leaf pile or in a log pile.
Nature Benefitted
The primary focus is supporting Hedgehogs, whose numbers have declined rapidly despite the otherwise suitability of many urban gardens. But many other amphibians and mammals species can benefit from gaps in fences and walls enabling movement, and the shelter provided by boxes. Planted corridors and foraging habitat will benefit a broad range of species, especially once it has matured.
Key Requirements
The larger the development the greater the extent of these features should be expected. Most developments with grounds will be able to include some if not all of these features. A small development with a garden can include Hedgehog Houses and gaps in boundaries to allow movement between the garden and surrounding habitat. Larger developments can plan to create Highways with planting and boundary gaps to connect foraging habitat. Developments with open space can also include foraging and habitat corridors to enhance connectivity.
Hedgehog houses are simple and cheap to construct (or can be purchased). They require to be placed in:
- shrubs or other cover that provides shelter
- an area accessible to Hedgehogs and not encouraging movement near to road or other hazards
Future Management
For Hedgehog highways to retain connectivity property owners will need to be aware of the purpose of gaps in walls and fences, and regular but minimal maintenance undertaken.
- Gaps in walls and fences should be regularly checked to ensure they have not become blocked
- Fences discouraging access for hedgehog safety need to be maintained and any access gaps closed
- Areas of habitat created for foraging and connectivity must be managed appropriately.
Hedgehog houses require occasional inspection for maintenance and potential replacement (avoiding the main breeding and hibernation seasons as far as possible).
Complementary Measures
Hedgehog highways can incorporate hedgerows (measure 7), woodland (measure 4) and meadows (measure 2) to connect hedgehog habitat and provide foraging areas. Swales (measure 20) can create a corridor through open ground, and log piles and hibernacula (measures 8 and 9) can enhance foraging.
Hedgehog houses can be placed within a number of other measures that provide additional shelter. This includes log and leaf piles (measure 8), the base of bug hotels (measure 11), hedgerows (measure 7), woodland and shrub (measure 4) and orchards (measure 3). Hedgerows often provide key routes for movement of hedgehogs, and in orchards they can be important in controlling some pest species.
Nature Notes
Hedgehogs are one of our fastest declining mammal species in the UK. They are vulnerable to road collisions and can become trapped in narrow spaces, trenches and ponds. As they struggle to negotiate even low obstacles hedgehogs can seek to avoid them, extending travel routes and potentially putting them in to more danger.
Hedgehogs are a natural predator of many garden ‘pests’ (such as slugs, snails and insects), and can play an important role in biological control.
Further Information
- On creating corridors for movement see the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People’s Trust for Endangered Species Hedgehogs and development guidance, the RSPB’s guidance on Creating nature highways and byways, and The Wildlife Trusts’ How to create a hedgehog hole guidance
- On constructing a hedgehog house see the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ Give a ‘hog a home guidance, RSPB’s Build a hedgehog house or The Wildlife Trusts How to build a hedgehog home
- On creating natural homes for hedgehogs see the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s Hedgehog-friendly garden features
- For general advice and information see the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ Hedgehog ecology and land management and Your A-Z of helping hedgehogs
MEASURE 13: HOMES FOR SMALL BIRDS
Nest and nest boxes can be fixed to buildings, structures and trees, or incorporated in the wall of the building itself. Different species of bird nest in different sized and shaped boxes.
General Next Box - The standard nest box, commonly constructed from wood, is suitable for multiple bird species dependent on the diameter of the nesting hole, or alternatively providing an open front rather than a hole as an entrance. For some species the standard box is larger (such as for starlings), or placed in groups to encourage breeding success (such as for sparrows).
Swift Brick and Box - A Swift Brick is a long rectangular hollow brick that replaces a standard brick in the wall under the eaves. The brick has a letter box like slit for swifts to enter, and separate access for maintenance. A Swift Box is a wooden box of similar specification to the Brick, but is fixed to the outside of the structure.
Swallow and House Martin Nests - Swallows and house martins use similar bowl shaped nests, with an open top for swallows or a side entrance for house martins. Made from plaster or concrete to reflect natural mud and grass nests, they are affixed under the eaves of a structure.
Nature Benefitted
These increase nesting opportunities for a range of bird species, introducing new niches for breeding that can support the species survival and wider dispersal. General nest boxes can support a wide range of cavity nesting species of conservation interest, with careful sizing of the entrance hole or open front allowing for targeting of specific species.
Swifts are in rapid decline and where conditions are suitable new nesting areas can help. The boxes are often utilised by house sparrows and starlings which are also of high conservation priority. House martin nests can also be used by other species like house sparrow, but swallow nests are likely to be used by swallows only.
Key Requirements
All types of bird box are available to buy or can be easily built (possibly with materials left over from construction). The larger the development the more boxes would be expected to be installed and of a greater variety. To be successful there will need to be adequate foraging habitat available for the species provided for.
General nest boxes require a structure or tree of reasonable size to be securely mounted on, with a north east to north west aspect to avoid overheating from direct sunlight. They require some shelter from the prevailing weather and an unimpeded flight entrance. They should be placed at least 2 meters off the ground and avoiding access from predators (like cats), but allow access for maintenance and cleaning out. House martin and swallow boxes require similar checks, but mounted under eaves or similar structure to provide shelter.
Swift bricks and boxes need to be sited at least two stories off the ground, with a wide open area in front to allow easy passage for their residents. A north east to north west aspect is preferred but overheating is less of an issue in Scotland and shaded south facing aspects are feasible.
Future Management
General nest boxes will need checking and cleaning annually (between October and January) to remove nests from the past year and any abandoned wasp or tree bumble bee nests. Any signs of damage or decay will need repairing or Boxes replaced, and the mounting point to trees or structures checked to ensure it is secure and will remain so for the year ahead.
Swift bricks and boxes need annual cleaning, particularly if used by house sparrows and starlings that can bring in bits of plastic waste as nesting material, which swifts are especially likely to get trapped in. The mounting point of boxes require checking annually, and any decay repaired.
House martin and swallow nests don’t usually need annual cleaning. They should still be inspected yearly in case other bird species have dragged in plastic waste or other debris that could trap swallows or martins, and the bowl and mounting on the building checked for decay.
Complementary Measures
General nest boxes can be incorporated into many other measures, including orchards (measure 3) and scrub and woodland (measure 4) when the trees are mature enough to support their weight. They can also be placed within hedgerows (measure 7), providing additional shelter for more open boxes (the species that use these often being associated with hedgerows).
All of the boxes and nests can be placed on wildlife towers (measure 17) and incorporated into green walls and screens (measure 6), where the site and habitat are appropriate for the type of box. Similarly for living roofs (measure 5), where there are appropriate mounting points on the roof or its sides, although open fronted nest box may need more shelter.
Nature Notes
Birds can be fussy when choosing whether a nest box is suitable to nest in or not, and this is difficult to predict so placing as many boxes as possible can help. And the more types of bird boxes placed in a development the more species that will be supported. Most bird species which utilise nest boxes feed on a large number of invertebrates (especially when feeding chicks), and therefore play an important role in ’pest’ control.
Further Information
- On making general nest boxes with a hole or open fronted see the RSPB’s Making and placing a bird box and Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Build a nest box for birds
- For a range of advice on swift bricks and boxes see the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership Swifts page, and the RSPB’s Create a high home for swifts
- On encouraging swallows see the RSPB’s Attracting swallows to nest
- On making a house martin nest see the RSPB’s How to attract house martins
MEASURE 14: HOMES FOR OWLS
Owl boxes are sizable bird boxes, much larger than those for other bird species.
A barn owl box often has a pitched roof with an entrance hole at its peak and landing platform on the outside. The box is very large, with a floor area as much as 1 m2, 50 cm deep and a 13 cm square entrance. Tawny owl boxes are rectangular boxes nearly a metre in length, with a not less than 20 cm square entrance.
Nature Benefitted
Owls require large cavities to nest within, which naturally only occur in trees of considerable age. Owls, especially barn owls, have benefited from barns in the past but many of these structures are being lost to development. Barn conversions, modifications and modern structures often no longer offer suitable nesting spaces.
Owl boxes provide nesting and roosting opportunities, primarily for barn and tawny owls. Tawny owls are more likely to use boxes in urban or peri-urban areas. Other cavity nesting birds (for example jackdaws) can also use these boxes, and other birds of prey (for example kestrels) may use barn owl boxes on trees.
Key Requirements
Barn owl boxes can be mounted inside a roof structure, or on the outside of a suitable building under the eaves. They do not like large amounts of human disturbance therefore installation of these boxes on dwelling structures may not be appropriate. However barn conversions, agricultural and abandoned buildings can be suitable if disturbance can be minimised.
Where there is not a suitable building or structure barn owl boxes can be tree mounted. However their size requires a large mature tree for support. Where suitable trees are lacking a large wooden pole can be erected for a box to be mounted at the top. The pole needs to be stable and well secured, sited where possible near trees or at least in a sheltered position (especially from high winds and bad weather).
Tawny owl boxes are mounted under a sturdy branch on a mature tree to replicate the crevices in trees that provide natural nest sites. Trees must be strong enough to support and shelter the box. Tawny owls are more susceptible to disturbance than barn owls and this should be considered in siting.
For any of these features to be successful there must be suitable habitat nearby. Rough grassland habitats supporting small mammal populations are important sources of prey, as well as woodland, hedgerows, hibernacula and log piles.
Future Management
Boxes require cleaning before every nesting season even if owls have not occupied them as other species may have nested. The flight path and entrance into the box should remain clear, and the mounting points of boxes checked yearly to ensure they remain secure and not at risk of falling (especially in bad weather). Barn owls have additional legal protection from disturbance.
Site maintenance plans must have the boxes marked on them and all maintenance, ground and operations staff should be aware of their positions to ensure works or general ground and building maintenance does not disturb or cause any impact on the boxes. Foraging and shelter habitat for prey species must be maintained to keep this habitat favourable and ensure suitable prey densities.
Boxes mounted in buildings require regular inspection to ensure access remains clear, especially where there is a risk of entrances becoming blocked by stored materials. In used buildings care must be taken to avoid disturbance, with works kept away during the breeding season and users aware of box location. Where mounted on unused structures these should be regularly inspected to ensure they are secure for both the owls and person maintaining the box.
Tree and pole mounted boxes require annual inspections to check they are secure and stable, and the tree, branch or pole on which they are mounted are in good health. Trees providing shelter for pole mounted boxes should be checked as remaining in place.
Complementary Measures
To complement nest boxes provide meadows (measure 2) for owls to forage within, and measures supporting small mammal prey (mice and voles are the main basis of their diet). These include log and leaf piles (measure 8), hibernacula (measure 9), wildlife swales and ditches (measure 20) and wildlife walls (measure 16) which can also provide a perch to hunt from for Tawny owls.
Hedgerows (measure 7) provide corridors for owls to move along as well as for their prey, with taller emergent trees providing hunting perches. Woodland and scrub (measure 4) will provide shelter and day roosting for owls and also their prey, with Tawny owls using trees along the woodland edge as a hunting perch.
A wildlife tower can also provide nesting space, especially for barn owls (measure 17).
Nature Notes
Barn owls are a protected species and cannot be disturbed, especially when breeding. The repair and cleaning of boxes should be done in winter and only if the box is not used as a winter roost. Other works may require a licenced ecologist.
Barn owls eat a large number of small mammals and can contribute significantly to pest control. Where barn owls are present or being encouraged the use of poisons for rodent control should be avoided as through the food chain these chemicals can accumulate in barn owls to their detriment.
Further Information
- The Barn Owl Trust provides advice on Where’s the best place for your Barn Owl nestbox?, and guidance on Barn owl nest boxes for inside buildings, Barn owl boxes for trees, and Pole mounted nest box for barn owls
- The Barn Owl Trust provides designs for other owl box types, including Tawny owl nestboxes
MEASURE 15: HOMES FOR BATS
Bat boxes and other artificial bat roosts provide shelter, breeding and roost sites for bats.
Internal bat boxes - Bat boxes come in a range of different forms for incorporating in buildings and structures, including roof tile access and hollow bat bricks for building in to walls. Larger bat boxes can be built in to the roof void or structure’s cavity wall, These boxes have a sheltered entrance slit to allow entry, the bats being contained within the box and do not enter the structure itself.
External bat boxes - External bat boxes can be placed on structures or within trees, or a specifically designed bat box can be mounted on top of a pole. The most common type of box is similar to a wooden bird box but with the front panel sloping in towards a longer back panel that includes a landing area at the bottom, with a narrow gap at the box’s base for entry. Assembled wooden and concreate cast boxes can be purchased, as well as larger maternity and heated boxes.
Nature Benefitted
Bats require suitable cavities for day roosts, maternity roosts and overwintering, that can be found within older large trees, buildings and structures. Many old structures that would provide roosting areas for bats are often lost to development or conversions, with new structures rarely providing suitable sites. Bat boxes, especially where different types and sizes are used in suitable numbers, can benefit a broad range of bat species.
Key Requirements
Bat boxes are available to buy or are simple to construct, possibly with materials left over from construction. The larger the development the more boxes and greater variety would be expected to be installed.
Bat boxes must be placed at least 3 meters above the ground, with an open route to its entrance and avoiding over hangs or perches where predators could mount easy attacks. Pole mounted boxes should be close to a feature such as woodland or hedge and away from areas likely to be disturbed, with open space around them.
Boxes can be orientated in any direction (a south facing box in direct sunlight will be least suitable), and installing several in different positions with varying temperatures will provide a wider range of suitable roost options. Accessible foraging habitats which support large amounts of flying insects (woodland, scrub, grassland, wetlands and water features) and tree corridors and hedgerows providing safe transit routes should be in the local area.
Future Management
Bat boxes require minimal management, external wooden boxes requiring most maintenance. If any repair, replacement or maintenance work requires opening or disturbing a box this must be done by a licenced bat worker. Bat boxes should be marked on all landscaping plans and maintenance staff made aware so that they are not disturbed during any works undertaken.
Internal bat boxes which are heated should be checked in line with manufacturer’s instructions to make sure they are functional. Periodic removal of droppings is likely to be required and needs to be done by a licensed bat worker. External bat boxes mounted on trees or buildings should be visually inspected at a distance to make sure they are still secure and functional.
Complementary Measures
Where trees are of a size that can support external bat boxes they can be in included in orchards (measure 3), emergent trees in hedgerows (measure 7) and scrub and woodland (measure 4). Where trees are young pole mounted boxes can be used, or their future placement recognised in the management plan.
Dependent on the design and suitable fixing points either internal and / or external bat boxes can be included in wildlife towers (measure 17), living roofs (measure 5), green walls and screens (measure 6). These also provide foraging habitat, and act as ‘stepping stones’ in support of movement across developed habitats. Hedgerows (measure 7) also provide important foraging and commuting routes.
Various measures can provide bat foraging habitat, including wildflower meadows (measure 2), wildlife and pollinator friendly landscaping (measure 1), woodland and scrub (measure 4) as well as ponds and biodiverse SuDs ponds (measures 21 and 22). Where lighting is essential bat friendly lighting (measure 18) should be used near bat boxes and travel routes to roosting boxes and foraging areas.
Nature Notes
All bats are protected by law and subject to certain safeguards to ensure they are not disturbed. Any disturbance of bats or damage to roosts must be licenced and undertaken by a qualified licenced ecologist.
Further Information
- On the construction and siting of all types of bat boxes see the Bat Conservation Trust’s Bat boxes guidance
- On enhancing habitat for bats see The Fresh Water Habitats Trust Creating ponds for bats, The Wildlife Trusts’ How to attract moths and bats to your garden, and Hedgelink’s How to manage your hedge for bats
- On landscape and urban design and designing for biodiversity see the Bat Conservation Trust’s Guidance for professionals
MEASURE 16: WILDLIFE WALL
A wildlife wall is a dry stone wall with as great a number as possible gaps, crevices and internal voids have been left to allow a range of invertebrate, small mammal and amphibian species to shelter and hibernate.
Nature Benefitted
Drystone walls have been declining in our landscape but these features provide shelter for amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, and nesting space for birds and small mammals. Its surfaces also provide amphibians and reptile basking sites, and the stone itself will be colonised by a range of lichen and moss species which in turn will provide a food source for other invertebrates.
Key Requirements
A wildlife wall can be included in any size of development with grounds that require a boundary to be established. Even a small length of wall can create an important habitat feature, although it should not replace or be preferred to keeping or creating a native hedgerow. Wildlife walls should be marked on ground management plans to ensure future management retains their function.
Future Management
If walls are constructed well minimal future management is required. Regular inspection should check the wall remains sound and any lose rocks posing a risk of falling are secured. Gaps, cracks and crevices provided for wildlife should be checked to ensure they have not been filled in or otherwise lost through maintenance.
Complementary Measures
Solitary bee boxes (measure 10) and bug boxes (measure 11) can be mounted upon wildlife walls. A wildlife wall can also have spaces left in it for wildlife and pollinator friendly plants to be planted into the wall, or similar climbing plants grown up it (measure 1).
Nature Notes
There is sometimes concerns that these structures need to be in a poor state of repair to support wildlife to ensure that there is crevices for animals to get into. However a stable and safe wildlife wall can be created even with mortar to secure rocks and suitable gaps engineered to support wildlife.
Further Information
- On creating a wildlife wall see The Wildlife Trusts’ How to build a mini stone wall
MEASURE 17: WILDLIFE TOWER
A wildlife tower is a small structure resembling a tower that has bat roosting and barn owl nest spaces built into it. Other bird boxes and bug boxes can be added to support additional species.
Nature Benefitted
Many older rural structures can provide suitable roost and nesting sites that can be lost during restoration and rarely found in modern structures. The species benefitting will depend on the features within the tower. Most will include a nesting space for barn owls and bat roosting boxes, which may be used by other cavity nesting species. On the outside nest and bug boxes can support a variety of bird species and insects.
Key Requirements
A development needs to include grounds for siting the tower, with suitable foraging habitat such as hedgerows, grasslands, wetlands and water features found nearby, ideally linked by connecting habitat. The species supported require limited disturbance so cannot be near dwellings or well used areas. The tower should have some shelter from direct sun light or the elements.
Future Management
The structure should be checked annually to make sure it is secure and in good condition with foraging habitat supporting its species maintained to a high quality. The internal barn owl spaces within the tower will need to be cleaned out once a year before breeding season commences, making sure not to disturb any owls that may be roosting in the tower during the day.
Any features like bird boxes affixed to the outside should be maintained as described in measure 9. If bat roosts are built into the tower any repair, replacement or maintenance work must be done by a licenced bat worker.
Complementary Measures
A wildlife tower is usually created with a roost for barn owls, but if this is not the case an owl box (measure 14) can be placed in or on to the structure. Multiple bird boxes (measure 13) and internal or external bat boxes (measure 15) can be placed on the tower, along with bee boxes (measure 10) and bug boxes (measure 11).
Nature Notes
Both barn owls and bats, the target species for a wildlife tower, are scheduled protected species subject to certain safeguards. Assistance in designing, placing and maintenance from a licenced ecologist may be needed. Maintenance, where these species may have taken up residence and therefore could be disturbed, will require a licenced ecologist. Some local wildlife and NGO groups may have members with the appropriate skills and licences that could assist.
Further Information
- On constructing a wildlife tower see the Barn Owl Trust’s How to build a wildlife tower
MEASURE 18: WILDLIFE FRIENDLY LIGHTING
Some of the biodiversity measures enhancing wildlife will themselves benefit from additional measures to safeguard the animals supported.
Well planned wildlife friendly lighting will minimise its use and seek to avoid lighting natural habitats (especially woodland, ponds and bat foraging territories), with light shields or buffer zones of bushes, hedges and green screens used to keep light from these sensitive environments. Lighting duration can also be limited to necessary times (through use of sensors and timers), and specify LED bulbs that utilise light wavelengths that are less disruptive to wildlife (especially bats) and less attractive to night time invertebrates.
Nature Benefitted
Artificial lighting, whether from outdoor lights or cast from lights within buildings, can impact a large number of species either through attracting species or displacing natural movement to their detriment. Nocturnal mammals and bats in particular are known to be affected by artificial light that disrupts movement and foraging behaviour. Ongoing research on nocturnal insects such as moths has shown modern LED lights are affecting foraging behaviour and predation of a number of different invertebrate groups.
Key Requirements
The consideration of wildlife friendly lighting is appropriate for most development, but particularly those larger developments incorporating external lights. This requires assessing lighting from both external and internal light sources, and modelling the fall of lighting on to any areas supporting biodiversity.
Plan the placement of screens, barriers, light shields and LED lights with wildlife friendly wave lengths, and consider the placement of lights in buildings and fittings and shades that will lesson light cast out of windows. Sensors to dim or switch off external and internal lights when not necessary can be considered where security concerns allow.
A plan with a clear statement recording the lighting actions taken is required so that future site managers can maintain and keep these features in place, and consider any new light source and mitigating its impact in keeping with the plan. An overall site plan showing areas that are badly effected by light should identify future priorities for mitigation.
Future Management
Lighting must be regularly inspected along with the mitigation measures to ensure they are functional with repairs carried out promptly. Where vegetation is used to screen areas from artificial light this needs to be maintained to remain effective, and dead or diseased vegetation replaced. The details of the lighting plan and principles to be followed must be kept up to date, and installed system maintained to manufacturer’s specifications.
Complementary Measures
Wildlife friendly lighting can complement most of the measures benefiting wildlife, but will be particularly important where some vulnerable species such as bats are found. This includes wildlife ditches and swales (measure 20 - especially those permanently or near permanently filled with water or running along hedgerows and into a pond), biodiverse SuDs ponds (measure 21) and ponds for wildlife (measure 22). These are prime foraging areas for bats, particularly species like Daubenton's bat that rely heavily on feeding on semiaquatic insects.
Homes for hedgehogs (measure 12), owl boxes (measure 14), bat boxes (measure 15) and wildlife towers (measure 17) should be shielded from artificial light as this can reduce the likelihood of their use and disrupt movement, foraging, hunting ability and behaviour of their prey. Drain escapes (measure 23) are of greatest benefit in gully pots with lights above them as these trap more wildlife than unlit.
Orchards (measure 3), hedgerows (measure 7), wildflower meadows (measure 2) and woodland and scrub (measure 4) can support many nocturnal invertebrates and their nocturnal predators, and are all sensitive to artificial light.
Pollinator friendly plants (measure 1) and living roofs seeking to encourage pollinators (measure 5) can all benefit from wildlife friendly lighting to encourage nocturnal pollinators. Green screens and walls (measure 6) can be used to create screens to block artificial light and protect more sensitive habitats.
Nature Notes
Our understanding of the effects of artificial light on a wide range of species is still growing, with research on invertebrates showing serious impacts on populations in illuminated areas. The significance of impacts is still to be fully understood, but it is important to ensure the positive effects achieved by other measures are not undone through poorly designed planting. Where biodiversity interests are already present, artificial lighting used during the construction phase could also adhere to the same wildlife friendly principles.
Further Information
- On considering and mitigating the effects of artificial lighting see the Bat Conservation Trust’s website
Managing Water with Nature
26. Water is an essential for nature. and its management is usually required as part of most development. Existing water features can be modified to enhance their value for wildlife, and new sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) designed to complement other measures and maximise their benefit.
MEASURE 19: RAIN GARDEN
These features channel water for the purpose of water control but are designed and managed in a way to provide for wildlife.
Rain and Bog Gardens for Buildings - Rain gardens consist of planters and low lying garden areas, planted with wet loving or tolerant plants that temporarily retain water for slow release into the surrounding area. The bog garden is similar, lined to increase water retention if necessary, and planted with water loving wetland species. Rain water is channelled from a swale, down pipe or water butt overflow to the rain or bog garden, to increase attenuation by slowing runoff and reduce potential flood risk.
Rain Gardens for Streets - Street rain gardens incorporate swales and road kerbs to channel runoff from roads, parking areas and paths. Designed to absorb larger volumes of water they are usually planted with trees and shrubs for greater take up of water. Some include deep hidden wells dug along the street edge with a tree planted on top.
Nature Benefitted
The damp or wet habitat areas created support many invertebrate and amphibian species. These areas can be especially beneficial to pollinators as the availability of water in dry weather can help increase nectar production. With their enhanced water storage capacity the plants and trees planted in the rain garden can remain healthier, providing more shelter and a better food source for invertebrates.
Key Requirements
Rain and bog gardens can be relatively small areas, incorporated in to any scale of development as long as any excess water can be safely diverted away. The area needs to be of a gradient that allows water to sit or slowly pass through and not run off immediately (a Bog Garden requires a dip in the landscape), with soil not so free draining to allow some accumulation of water. A bog garden may require a liner if the ground is very permeable.
Rain gardens for streets can be accommodated in developments with a paved street or communal area from where water can be channelled. Careful consideration of the volume of water that the landscaped area can absorb is required, with a suitable overflow into further features in case the volume of water exceeds its capacity.
Future Management
Regular but low level maintenance is required to ensure the feature and vegetation within in it are functioning correctly.
- Ensure water can flow freely in to the rain garden and also from the outflow, without eroding the soil. Debris can be easily washed in and should be regularly ‘litter’ picked.
- Trees and plants within the rain garden require checking to ensure the wet conditions are suitable, and regular weeding to prevent any invasives becoming established or other species dominating.
Complementary Measures
Rain gardens can be planted with a range of suitable wildlife and pollinator friendly plants (measure 1). Wildlife swales and ditches (measure 20) can be used to channel water into a rain garden, and provide for its overflow, and can link to SuDS ponds (measure 21).
Bug hotels and log and leaf piles (measures 11 and 8) can be placed in rain gardens, providing a damper environment that is particularly beneficial to invertebrates and amphibians in dry weather.
Nature Notes
By retaining water these features reduce the risk of flooding both on site and downstream of the development. These areas will remain damper for longer periods than the surrounding area which can be important for invertebrate species, especially amphibians during periods of exceptional dry weather. As with all vegetated areas they contribute to urban cooling.
Further Information
- On creating a rain garden see the Rain garden guide, Green Action Trust’s 10,000 raingardens for Scotland campaign and The Royal Horticultural Society website
- On creating a bog garden see The Wildlife Trusts’ How to make a bog garden
MEASURE 20: WILDLIFE SWALE AND DITCH
These features channel water for the purpose of water control but are designed and managed in a way to provide for wildlife.
Swale or Rill - In gardens this is a shallow ditch of around 30cm depth and 60 cm width, that channels water from a water butt, patio or similar towards a pond, bog garden or rain garden. The excavated earth is usually mounded on one side. Swales are wet intermittently, but deeper and flatter sections can be included to create more varied conditions. The swale and adjacent earth mound can be seeded with wildflowers such as a wetland meadow mix. These features can be created on a larger scale in areas of public greenspace, or placed as a feature for wildlife on its own even if there is no need to channel water.
Wildlife Ditch - Wildlife ditches can be created new (with soil mounded to one side), or existing ditches modified to increase diversity by reducing the slope angle of their banks, profiling sides to create shallow benches with different water depths, and establishing pools of water. Bare sediment as well as aquatic, emergent and wetland vegetation is encouraged along ditch edges.
Nature Benefitted
These features benefit a large range of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna, providing a source of food and water and facilitating species movement.
Ditches and swales as linear features can help semiaquatic insects especially to move through the landscape. When dry they can act as wildlife corridors, especially through open areas. They remain cooler and damper than surrounding land, providing shelter in dry weather for amphibians and invertebrates especially. Where they retain water to create damp areas and permanently water filled edges they provide habitat for a range of aquatic fauna and flora.
Key Requirements
Both ditches and swales need to be planned to avoid facilitating the movement of contaminated water or pollutants to different parts of the site or to water courses, and the risk of flooding.
Swales can be installed in medium and larger sized gardens and areas of greenspace, often as part of a sustainable drainage system (such as connecting to a rain garden). Small swales can be easily dug by hand, larger ones requiring machinery.
Ditches can require more planning to ensure profiling to encourage water retention does not cause local flooding, and they continue to provide necessary drainage.
Future Management
Ditches and swales require annual management. Sown wildflowers should be cut once a year, with cuttings removed from the swale and avoiding cut material falling in the ditch. Removal of silt or any blockages should be carried out in late summer
As ditches vegetate and collect silt it will become necessary to clear them to maintain water management. This should be done in sections over time, leaving undisturbed sections to allow wildlife to recolonise cleared areas (cleared material should be left beside the ditch to allow animals within to return). Ditches can be vulnerable to invasive plant species, whose management and control may require ecological expertise. Any hedgerows over shadowing the ditch will also require management.
Complementary Measures
Swales can channel water into rain gardens (measure 19), and connect habitats as part of a hedgehog highway (measure 12).
Log and leaf Piles (measure 8), hibernacula (measure 9) and bug hotels and boxes (measure 11) will provide damp places for semiaquatic species to shelter during dry weather and to over-winter in. Wildlife ditches can run beside hedgerows (measure 7), that will provide additional niches to support biodiversity.
Where ditches are near suitable foraging or hibernation areas and nearby gully pot drainage systems, drain escapes should be considered (measure 23).
Nature Notes
By allowing water to be retained and flow slowed, a wildlife ditch can help to reduce flooding downstream. Ditches that are only wet for part of the year and go through dry spells can be a valuable type of habitat on their own right. For many aquatic and semiaquatic insects as well as amphibians, ditches with permanent water can be key for breeding. Semiaquatic insects spend their larval stage in water and then emerge as flying adults. These insects are a key resources as prey, especially for many bird species.
Further Information
- On creating a swale see the RSPB’s Dig a damp ditch for diversity
- On managing ditches see the RSPB’s Drainage channels, Buglife’s Grazing marsh ditches – Sheet 3 Management for invertebrates, and Hedgelink’s How to manage your hedge ditches for invertebrates
MEASURE 21: BIODIVERSE SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SYSTEM PONDS
Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) ponds are designed primarily to aid water management (its quantity and quality), but can be designed and planted to enhance their wildlife. The pond is connected to the development’s rainwater drainage system, with either an emergency overflow or a slow release system for water to leave. They can be planted with aquatic and emergent plants and bordered with wet grassland vegetation. The SuDS pond should not be directly connected in hydrological terms to existing wetland features if there are likely water pollution issues, such as runoff from roads.
Nature Benefitted
Ponds are a major feature in the landscape for biodiversity, supporting a large range of species, but their number has been steadily declining as a result of land use changes. SuDS ponds have greater biodiversity than swales or detention basins, provide an important habitat for all Scottish amphibian species, and will also support a wide range of aquatic and semiaquatic species which are a key food source for many bird species (especially for their young). Many wildfowl including species like moorhen can also benefit from these ponds.
Key Requirements
SuDS ponds are most applicable for larger developments, with space to accommodate an area of emergent edge and wet grassland with a pond of sufficient area that will retain water through a spell of dry weather. Any pollutants from site drainage must be at a low enough concentration to allow filtration by pond edge vegetation, with sufficient water flow to wash through pollution and nutrients.
If accessible to the public measures to mitigate any safety concerns may be needed. Access to maintain the pond and vegetation, and water flows will be required.
Future Management
The pond should be monitored for pollutants entering it and action taken to clean and remove sources of pollution if found. High levels of nutrients entering the pond can also lead to algae blooms, and careful use of any fertilisers on site is required to avoid this. Regular checks for invasive plants is required as these can establish easily in wetland areas and invasive aquatic plants can quickly take over open water.
Wet meadows and emergent vegetation may require a regime of cutting and removal of cut vegetation dependent on the species planted. Without cutting the wet grassland can become dominated by certain species, and reeds and emergent vegetation can begin taking over open water.
Ponds can act as ‘litter traps’, requiring the area around the pond and where necessary the pond itself to be litter picked to prevent litter blowing into and building up within the pond.
Complementary Measures
Log and leaf piles (measure 8), hibernacula (measure 9) and bug hotels (measure 11) placed above the high water line can provide shelter and hibernation for many semiaquatic invertebrates and amphibians. Leaf piles and cages will mulch down and should be placed to avoid nutrients running into the pond. Wildlife walls (measure 16) sited near to a SuDS pond can also provide well sheltered cavities for overwintering amphibians.
Areas of hedgerow (measure 7), wildflower meadow (measure 2) and scrub and woodland areas (measure 4) all provide important foraging habitats and potentially over wintering habitats, especially for amphibian species.
Drain escapes (measure 23) and wildlife friendly lighting (measure 18) will both be important to reduce the risks to the wildlife that SuDS ponds will support.
Nature Notes
Ponds are one of the fastest declining biodiversity features in our landscape, yet they are essential for many aquatic and semiaquatic species. Semiaquatic emerging species such as flying insects are crucial for the development of insectivorous bird chicks. As climate change alters conditions it is essential that species are able to move to more suitable habitat, and biodiverse SuDS ponds in development can help enable this and be of wider biodiversity importance. Attractive SuDS ponds can also benefit the health and well-being of local residents.
Further Information
- For a range of resources, case studies and guides to creating SuDs for wildlife see the Susdrain website
- On creating, enhancing and managing SuDS for wildlife see the RSPB and WWT’s guide for local authorities and developers, Sustainable drainage systems - maximising the potential for people and wildlife
- On the use of native plants in ponds see Plantlife’s Alternative plants guide, or use the Royal Horticultural Society’s Find a plant database (to produce a filtered list of native aquatics)
MEASURE 22: PONDS FOR WILDLIFE
Wildlife ponds come in all shapes and sizes to fit the available site, all of which can provide an important resource for wildlife. Where existing ponds are present their restoration and on-going management can enhance their biodiversity value.
Scrape - A scrape is a shallow pond, often found in grassland and farmland or other open habitats, that can partially dry out in the summer. These provide important foraging habitat for waders during the breeding season and in winter if there is limited shelter for potential predators.
Main rain pond - These can be self-contained and collect rainwater from the sky, or positioned to hold runoff from a swale or rainwater down pipe as part of a rain garden (measure 19). They can be as small as a sink, using a container or basin sitting on or dug into the ground. The base of the container is lined with gravel to provide substrate, with containerised water plants, aquatic and floating plants placed in the pond. A ramp into the pond can provide access (or escape) for invertebrates and amphibians, with a log or stone pile built against the side of the container if it stands above the ground for amphibians to climb for access.
Wildlife pond - A wildlife pond provides diverse conditions to encourage a wide range of species, and can vary in size from a small garden pond to one as large as the site allows. The pond edge allows for easy access and exit for animals (including any that fall in by accident), with shallow margins and sides that slope gradually to the deepest point. Benches at varying depths provide a range of deeper and shallower areas, and larger ponds may include an island.
The base of the pond includes areas of bare sediment, gravel and stones, and aquatic and emergent plants. Native plants should be chosen to plant the pond and its surroundings, or it can be left to colonise naturally from nearby seed sources The ground around the pond may flood intermittently, with wet grassland and riparian scrub species providing cover and foraging for amphibians. Creating shelter and hibernacula features around the pond can provide important overwintering areas for amphibians and semiaquatic invertebrates.
Wildlife ponds in certain settings may additionally require other considerations.
- Ponds with public access should incorporate more extensive shallow margins to reduce the risk of people falling into deep water, and include a board walk along the pond edge to allow safe public access. Where access is of concern and needs to be discouraged a combination of wet grassland, boulders or log piles and emergent vegetation can help make approaching the pond difficult.
- Ponds within an airport bird strike risk zone can reduce their attraction to large numbers of water fowl and gulls if they are kept small and shallow (perhaps a network of smaller shallow ponds), with emergent vegetation. Extensive reed beds that can provide roosting habitat for large flocks of starling and open semi-improved grassland (which provides grazing for wildfowl) should be avoided, and sheltered areas with tree cover can discourage large wildfowl.
- Ponds in woodland require an open area of the forest or at the edge of a ride or track to allow sunlight through, with trees set back from the edge to allow space for emergent vegetation, wet grassland and riparian vegetation. The build-up of leaf litter can be mitigated by creating bars and small hummocks on the pond bottom for plants to grow on, the deep areas in between accumulating leaf litter.
- Ponds in wetlands should avoid disrupting existing hydrology and valued habitats, and not be directly connected to ditches which can increase siltation and encroaching vegetation. Shallow ponds can quickly be dominated by reeds, but deeper ponds with steep sides can slow or prevent this.
- Ponds on floodplains can be hotspots for plant species, but can also quickly be infilled with debris and sediment from flooding. Creating a number of separate ponds at varying distances from the river can ensure greater availability to wildlife in this dynamic landscape.
Nature Benefitted
Ponds have been in rapid decline, but their retention and creation can provide significant biodiversity improvements even when ponds are small. This will be enhanced where a network of new ponds fill gaps in an area with no ponds, supporting species that depend on them to move through the landscape, reducing population isolation and facilitating range expansion. A network of unconnected but close together ponds are often particularly rich in biodiversity.
Ponds support a very large amount of biodiversity and can benefit a very large range and number of species depending on the pond’s environment. This includes many species of wetland, semiaquatic and aquatic plants, many mammals (especially where there are populations of water voles), and amphibians for whom they are the key habitat.
Aquatic and semiaquatic invertebrate species are of particular wider benefit, providing an important food source for many species including many insectivorous birds when feeding chicks (which have more success in raising young when these insects are abundant). Islands and areas with shorter vegetation are attractive to waders and waterfowl without the risk of predation. Waders and waterfowl can be supported on scrapes and medium sized ponds or larger, while moorhens in particular can utilise even quite small ponds.
Key Requirements
Where grounds are limited a mini or small garden pond can be created that will still provide an important refuge and breeding site for many species. Greater space allows for a larger pond, or several ponds across a site, to be created. Adequate resources for future management will be essential.
There must be an adequate supply of water that can collect in the pond and replenish it. Some ponds can be seasonal and dry out at least partially, but these can still be extremely valuable to wildlife.
Areas at risk from pollution, or activities containing pollutants that may attract wildlife from the pond to its detriment (such as settling ponds), should be avoided. Other hazards, such as drains, require measures to avoid significant losses to amphibian populations (see measure 23).
Future Management
All ponds generally require regular management to ensure their long term continuance, with some needing additional actions dependent on their particular circumstances (set out in the Further Information). Smaller ponds may require topping up during dry weather, preferably from a water butt as chlorinated tap water can affect microbe species within the pond, and may need attention during the autumn to prevent the build-up of leaf litter.
The most common needs for larger wildlife ponds are:
- regular litter picking around the pond to prevent rubbish blowing into and accumulating in the pond with detrimental impact on biodiversity and its wider appreciation;
- regular monitoring for any pollution entering the water, requiring its removal and remediation as soon as possible;
- regular monitoring for damaging invasive non-native species, which ponds are particularly vulnerable to as aquatic plant species can be introduced via visiting waterfowl;
- regular control of dominant vegetation, including reeds and scrub that can reduce the area of open water, decrease water oxygen levels and lead to drying out; and
- regular checking of any water safety provisions and equipment that are in place.
Complementary Measures
Many semiaquatic and amphibian species as well as terrestrial animals that utilise ponds will benefit from measures providing shelter and hibernation nearby. Log and leaf piles (measure 8), hibernacula (measure 9), and bug hotels and boxes (measure 11) need to be above the winter high water level. Mounting bird and bat boxes (measures 13 and 15) around ponds to feed on semiaquatic flying insects can also provide important breeding sites for these species, with wildlife friendly lighting (measure 18) if required.
The area around ponds provide important feeding areas for many mammal species, including hedgehogs which are particularly vulnerable to getting trapped in ponds, and safe access routes can be created as provided by hedgehog highways (measure 12). Amphibian species will move to ponds to breed and then disperse for foraging and shelter, and the risk presented by road drains and gully pots can be mitigated by drain escapes (measure 23), without which populations can be significantly depleted.
Nature Notes
Ponds can be established easily, creating a valuable additional habitat that increases biodiversity in an area. Invasive non-native plant species can be a particular risk to ponds, introduced by visiting animals (especially waterfowl) transferring seeds and other plant material caught on their feathers between ponds. Invasive floating plants can easily be spread in this way, growing across a pond, shading out other plant species and reducing oxygen levels. Some native species such as reed mace can also be invasive, and often require management to maintain a mix of habitats.
Further Information
- On creating a mini pond see the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Build a mini wildlife pond or The Wildlife Trusts’ How to create a mini pond
- On creating and managing a small or large wildlife pond see the Freshwater Habitats Trust’s website
- For enhancing ponds for individual species many wildlife organisations publish specific guidance, such as the Freshwater Habitats Trust and Froglife
- On the use of native plants in ponds see Plantlife’s Alternative plants guide and the Royal Horticultural Society’s Find a plant database (to produce a filtered list of native aquatics)
MEASURE 23: DRAIN ESCAPES
Development can unwittingly introduce dangers to the wildlife that it is seeking to encourage. Small mammals and amphibians naturally follow raised road kerbs and are in danger of falling through drain grating and into gullypots, but simple measures can reduce this risk.
Wildlife Kerbs - Wildlife kerbs can be substituted for standard BS kerbs next to gully pots. They have a small recess on their front face that creates a safe pathway for animals following the vertical face of the kerb to avoid falling into drains. Lowered sections of kerb can also be used to break up extensive lengths of otherwise unclimbable kerb in areas where amphibians will want to cross roads between ponds and wetland and good hibernating habitat like scrub and woodland.
Toad Ladders - These are small rectangular ramps, usually of metal, placed inside the gully pots of drains. They enable amphibians, other small mammals and invertebrates that fall into drains to escape by climbing up the ramp and out through the grate. They do not impact on drainage or drain maintenance.
Nature Benefitted
Drains placed near to ponds, water features and SuDs, particularly when illuminated by nearby artificial light, can catch large numbers of amphibians and cause rapid population decline. Frogs, toads and newts can all benefit, as well as small mammals, reptiles such as common lizard, and many invertebrates. These will be at risk when attracted to migrate into an area of new habitat.
Key Requirements
W wildlife kerbs and toad ladders complement each other and should be installed together. All drains pose a risk to wildlife but priority should be given to those within 500 meters of a SuDs feature, water feature or suitable amphibian foraging or hibernation habitat (especially woodland areas).
Appropriate kerbs should be installed during construction, but ladders can easily be retrofitted to drain gully pots.
Future Management
Wildlife and lowered kerbs require minimal maintenance. Along with toad ladders they should be marked on site plans and the factor and maintenance staff made aware of their placement to ensure they are not removed or replaced through maintenance over time.
Toad ladders can be damaged by debris washed down the drain, or become so silted up to restrict access. Annual inspections prior to the main amphibian breeding times (in early spring), to clear debris and check mounting points remain secure, is required. Any drains being cleaned out without ladders should be checked for trapped or dead wildlife and if found new ladders should be installed.
Complementary Measures
These will complement other measures enhancing habitats that support amphibians, especially where preferred lines of movement will cross areas with drains. This includes rain gardens (measure 19), SuDs and wildlife ponds (measures 21 and 22) and measures supporting hibernation (measure 9).
Nature Notes
There is limited awareness of the dangers that road drains place on wildlife, and the relatively simple solutions available. A Perth & Kinross Council study surveyed 1500 gully pots over a three year period and found approximately 3000 trapped animals. Some 60 to 70% of drain gully pots checked contained dead wildlife, the majority being amphibians. Gully pots in effect act as giant pitfall traps, from which there is limited chance of escape.
Further Information
- On fixing amphibian ladders see the Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK’s Saving amphibians in drains
- For information on the risk of drains to amphibians and small mammals and effect of measures see the Amphibians in drains project 2014 report
3. SELECTING THE MEASURES THAT ARE APPROPRIATE
Selecting the appropriate measures
27. Table 1 provides an overview of the main characteristics of the 23 measures described in Section 2 (a unified version of Table 1 that is not fully accessible can be downloaded at the bottom of this web page). Each of the measures has been considered in terms of its general appropriateness to different scales and forms of development, and the complexity of incorporating it within a development and its future management. To provide an indication of the measure’s fit against these considerations a simple four point scale (0 to 3) has been used to indicate a limited, weak, medium or strong fit, and low, medium or high complexity. An indicative assessment of the potential biodiversity benefit, and other related benefits is also provided.
28. The table will help inform which measures are appropriate for the particular development under consideration. It should be remembered that the scores are indicative when considering measures in general, and the specifics of a particular development may result in a different conclusion. This is particularly likely when the synergies resulting from complimentary measures are taken into account.
TABLE 1: Overview of the biodiversity measures and their applicability to different scales of local development
TABLE 1a: Planting for Nature measures
- |
Scale of Local Dev - Minor |
Scale of Local Dev - Small |
Scale of Local Dev - Medium |
Applicable to - Building & Structure |
Applicable to - Garden & Grounds |
Applicable to - Drainage |
Applicable to - Roads |
Applicable to - Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plants for pollinators |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Wildflower meadows |
1 |
2 |
3 |
- |
3 |
1 |
1 |
- |
New & old growth orchards |
- |
1 |
3 |
- |
3 |
1 |
1 |
- |
Trees, scrub & woodland - Street & feature trees |
1 |
2 |
3 |
- |
3 |
2 |
2 |
- |
Trees, scrub & woodland - Scrub & woodland |
- |
- |
3 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
1 |
Living roofs - green, brown & blue - Extensive green roofs |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
Living roofs - green, brown & blue - Intensive green roofs |
- |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
Living roofs - green, brown & blue - Green blue roofs |
- |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
Green wall & green screen - Green / Living wall |
- |
2 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
Green wall & green screen - Green screen / façade |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
Boundary hedge - Wildlife hedge |
1 |
2 |
3 |
- |
3 |
- |
1 |
3 |
Boundary hedge - Amenity hedge |
1 |
2 |
3 |
- |
3 |
- |
1 |
3 |
- |
Complexity - Cost |
Complexity - Maintenance |
Benefits - Biodiversity |
Benefits - Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
Plants for pollinators |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Shade, cooling, water control, pollination, pest control, health and wellbeing |
Wildflower meadows |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Water control, pollination, health and wellbeing |
New & old growth orchards |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Food provision, community space, pollination, health and wellbeing, carbon capture |
Trees, scrub & woodland - Street & feature trees |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Shade, Cooling, water control, pollution control, health and wellbeing, carbon capture |
Trees, scrub & woodland - Scrub & woodland |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Noise barrier, water control, pollution control, health and wellbeing, carbon capture, light control |
Living roofs - green, brown & blue - Extensive green roofs |
1 to 3 |
1 |
1 to 2 |
Water control, pollination, health and wellbeing |
Living roofs - green, brown & blue - Intensive green roofs |
3 |
3 |
2 |
Water control, pollution control, community space, health and wellbeing |
Living roofs - green, brown & blue - Green blue roofs |
3 |
2 |
2 |
Water control, pollination, health and wellbeing |
Green wall & green screen - Green / Living wall |
3 |
3 |
2 |
Pollution control, health and wellbeing |
Green wall & green screen - Green screen / facade |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Pollution control, health and wellbeing, noise control, light control |
Boundary hedge - Wildlife hedge |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Pollution control, pollination, security, water control, cooling, shade, health and wellbeing, carbon capture, noise control, light control |
Boundary hedge - Amenity hedge |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Pollution control, pollination, security, water control, cooling, shade, health and wellbeing, carbon capture, noise control, light control |
TABLE 1b: Providing Homes for Nature measures
- |
Scale of Local Dev - Minor |
Scale of Local Dev - Small |
Scale of Local Dev - Medium |
Applicable to - Building & Structure |
Applicable to - Garden & Grounds |
Applicable to - Drainage |
Applicable to - Roads |
Applicable to - Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Log & leaf piles |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Hibernacula - underground hibernacula & rock Pile |
1 |
2 |
3 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Hibernacula - beetle bucket |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Homes for bees - bee bricks & boxes |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Homes for bees - bee bank |
- |
2 |
3 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Homes for bugs - bug hotel |
1 |
3 |
3 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Homes for bugs - bug box |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Homes for hedgehogs - highway |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
- |
1 |
1 |
Homes for hedgehogs - house |
2 |
3 |
3 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Homes for small birds |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Homes for owls |
- |
1 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Homes for bats - internal boxes |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Homes for bats - external boxes |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Wildlife wall |
- |
2 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
Wildlife tower |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Wildlife friendly lighting |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
3 |
3 |
- |
Complexity - Cost |
Complexity - Maintenance |
Benefits - Biodiversity |
Benefits - Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
Log & leaf piles |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Nutrient provision, waste recycling, pollination, pest control |
Hibernacula -underground hibernacula & rock Pile |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Pollination, pest control |
Hibernacula - beetle bucket |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Waste recycling, pest control |
Homes for bees - bee bricks & boxes |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Pollination |
Homes for bees - bee bank |
1 |
2 |
2 |
Pollination, health and wellbeing |
Homes for bugs - bug hotel |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Pest control, nutrient recycling, pollination |
Homes for bugs - bug box |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Pollination, pest control |
Homes for hedgehogs - highway |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Pest control |
Homes for hedgehogs - house |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Pest control |
Homes for small birds |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Pest control, health and wellbeing |
Homes for owls |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Pest control |
Homes for bats -internal boxes |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Pest control |
Homes for bats - external boxes |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Pest control |
Wildlife wall |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Security, noise control, light control |
Wildlife tower |
3 |
2 |
2 |
Pest control |
Wildlife friendly lighting |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Security, pest control, pollination, health and wellbeing |
TABLE 1c: Managing Water with Nature measures
- |
Scale of Local Dev - Minor |
Scale of Local Dev - Small |
Scale of Local Dev - Medium |
Applicable to - Building & Structure |
Applicable to - Garden & Grounds |
Applicable to - Drainage |
Applicable to - Roads |
Applicable to - Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rain garden |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
- |
Wildlife swale & ditch - garden swale or rill |
2 |
3 |
2 |
- |
3 |
3 |
- |
1 |
Wildlife swale & ditch - wildlife ditch |
- |
1 |
3 |
- |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
Biodiverse SuDs ponds |
- |
1 |
3 |
- |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
Ponds for wildlife - mini rain pond |
2 |
3 |
2 |
- |
3 |
1 |
- |
- |
Ponds for wildlife - wildlife pond |
- |
2 |
3 |
- |
3 |
1 |
- |
- |
Drain escapes |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
Complexity - Cost |
Complexity - Maintenance |
Benefits - Biodiversity |
Benefits - Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rain garden |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Pollination, water control, pollution control, health and wellbeing, cooling |
Wildlife swale & ditch - garden swale or rill |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Pollination, water control |
Wildlife swale & ditch - wildlife ditch |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Pollination, water control, pest control |
Biodiverse SuDs ponds |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Pollution control, water control, pest control, health and wellbeing |
Ponds for wildlife - mini rain pond |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Water control, pest control, health and wellbeing |
Ponds for wildlife - wildlife pond |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Water control, pest control, health and wellbeing |
Drain escapes |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Pest control, reduced cleaning of gully pots |
29. When selecting biodiversity measures there are a number of guiding factors to consider, to ensure the opportunities for enhancement can achieve the greatest benefit for nature. These factors are of an ecological or practical nature. The most suitable and locally appropriate biodiversity measures will vary depending on the location, site and type of development seeking approval. Selected measures should draw on and seek to enhance the nature found on the site and in its surroundings.
The factors to consider when selecting appropriate biodiversity measures
29. When selecting biodiversity measures there are a number of guiding factors to consider, to ensure the opportunities for enhancement can achieve the greatest benefit for nature. These factors are of an ecological or practical nature. The most suitable and locally appropriate biodiversity measures will vary depending on the location, site and type of development seeking approval. Selected measures should draw on and seek to enhance the nature found on the site and in its surroundings.
Ecological Considerations
-
Locally relevant
Consider the measure(s) ‘fit’ with existing nature and the opportunity to enhance this. Encouraging native species present in the immediate area will help strengthen local biodiversity, and enhancing these will usually secure a greater chance of success and achieve the greatest benefits.
-
Species choice
Consider whether the measures’ species are appropriate. Preference should be given to:
- using species of local provenance where these are available
- employing nationally (Scottish BAP) and locally (LBAP) listed priority species and habitats wherever feasible
- avoiding species that are known to be invasive, that can dominate and overtake valuable biodiverse native habitat.
-
Connected and permeable for nature
Consider how the measures take account of and strengthen connectivity (within the site and to wider networks), with habitats and boundaries allowing safe movement within and beyond the site for foraging and dispersal. This is particularly important where development is resulting in the fragmentation of habitats, and as a consequence remaining pockets struggle to maintain viable populations and do not benefit from dispersal from other areas.
-
Space for adaptation
Consider how well the measure(s) will work in response to the modified habitats and natural processes following development. Provide space to allow nature the opportunity to expand and colonise new areas naturally.
-
Allow for synergies
Consider the opportunities for individual measures to complement and reinforce one another, and for nature outwith the development to support its introduction (for example, existing foraging habitat for the species provided with shelter). None of the measures should be seen in isolation, but as part of the wider whole (see Table 2).
-
Scale of provision
Consider the scale of the measure(s) is suitable for ecological reasons. Some measures work best when provided in groups (for example a cluster of swift or sparrow boxes), or are of a minimum size (for example a grassland area).
Practical Considerations
-
People and nature together
Consider the compatibility of the measure(s) with future use of the development to ensure it reflects the needs of both people and nature, avoiding potential conflict. Development and its associated activity can result in disruption and disturbance to nature, but good planning and design can provide multi-functional buildings and spaces for both people and nature. Incorporating measures in a way that respect’s nature’s needs and at the same time provides opportunities for people to connect with nature will promote long term community stewardship of them.
-
Long term retention and management
Consider the management needs of the measure(s) and how this will be delivered in the future. Certainty of retention and long term management is essential if the enhancement is to endure and achieve the long term benefit for nature that is required.
-
Local community involvement
Consider the opportunity for the local community to get involved with the measure(s), particularly for larger scales of development. Where measures are part of the public realm, wider engagement and involvement in its stewardship can promote awareness, understanding and community pride in the nature to be found.
10. Multiple benefits
Consider the opportunity that the measure(s) provide for delivering wider benefits for the environment, people and the development itself. This can include supporting climate adaptation (better water and temperature regulation), improving air and water quality, enhancing carbon storage and absorbing noise, which all contribute to delivering better places. Table 1 highlights the most significant ones.
TABLE 2: Matrix of measures complementing and having synergies with other measures. Lead measures are listed in the first column, with complementary measures listed in the top row with synergies indicated by a Yes.
A unified version of Table 2 that is not fully accessible can be downloaded at the bottom of this web page.
Table 2a: Planting for Nature measures
- |
1 Plants |
2 Meadow |
3 Orchard |
4 Trees & scrub |
5 Living roof |
6 Green wall |
7 Hedge |
8 Log & leaf pile |
9 Hiber-nacula |
10 Bees |
11 Bugs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Plants |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 Meadow |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
3 Orchard |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
4 Trees & scrub |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
5 Living roof |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
YES |
6 Green wall |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
YES |
YES |
7 Hedge |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
12 Hedge-hogs |
13 Small birds |
14 Owls |
15 Bats |
16 Wildlife wall |
17 Wildlife tower |
18 Lighting |
19 Rain garden |
20 Swale & ditch |
21 SuDS pond |
22 Wildlife pond |
23 Drain escape |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Plants |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
2 Meadow |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
3 Orchard |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
4 Trees & scrub |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
5 Living roof |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6 Green wall |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
7 Hedge |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
Table 2b: Providing Homes for Nature measures
- |
1 Plants |
2 Meadow |
3 Orchard |
4 Trees & scrub |
5 Living roof |
6 Green wall |
7 Hedge |
8 Log & leaf pile |
9 Hiber-nacula |
10 Bees |
11 Bugs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 Log & leaf pile |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
9 Hibernacula |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
10 Bees |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
11 Bugs |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
12 Hedgehogs |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
13 Small birds |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
14 Owls |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
15 Bats |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
16 Wildlife wall |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
17 Wildlife tower |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
18 Lighting |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
12 Hedge-hogs |
13 Small birds |
14 Owls |
15 Bats |
16 Wildlife wall |
17 Wildlife tower |
18 Lighting |
19 Rain garden |
20 Swale & ditch |
21 SuDS pond |
22 Wildlife pond |
23 Drain escape |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 Log & leaf pile |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
9 Hibernacula |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
10 Bees |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
11 Bugs |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
12 Hedgehogs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
13 Small birds |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
14 Owls |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
15 Bats |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
16 Wildlife wall |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
17 Wildlife tower |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
18 Lighting |
YES |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
Table 2c: Managing Water with Nature measures
- |
1 Plants |
2 Meadow |
3 Orchard |
4 Trees & scrub |
5 Living roof |
6 Green wall |
7 Hedge |
8 Log & leaf pile |
9 Hiber-nacula |
10 Bees |
11 Bugs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19 Rain garden |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
20 Swale & ditch |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
21SuDS pond |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
22 Wildlife pond |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
23 Drain escape |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
12 Hedge-hogs |
13 Small birds |
14 Owls |
15 Bats |
16 Wildlife wall |
17 Wildlife tower |
18 Lighting |
19 Rain garden |
20 Swale & ditch |
21 SuDS pond |
22 Wildlife pond |
23 Drain escape |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19 Rain garden |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
20 Swale & ditch |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
21SuDS pond |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
22 Wildlife pond |
YES |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
23 Drain escape |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
YES |
- |
YES |
YES |
- |
30. For other than the more general measures that can be widely applicable across much of Scotland, consideration should also be given to established guidance on safeguarding and enhancing nature in the area. What is available and up to date varies across Scotland, and the Local Authority’s planning portal is a good place to search for many of the most common sources. These include:
- The Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP), which identifies the priority species and habitats for action in its area. These are a key source of information on local nature to inform the choice of relevant measure(s). This can include information on Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), enabling consideration of opportunities to complement these sites and avoid unintended detriment. NatureScot’s website includes links to most of Scotland’s LBAPs.
- The Planning Authority may also have supporting documents that identify opportunities to enhance nature at the larger spatial scale. Relevant information may be found in an Open Space Strategy, Green Network Strategy, Forestry and Woodland Strategy or similar. For larger local developments, individual enhancement measures should take account of their fit with, and contribution to, species and habitat enhancements at the larger scale.
- Many areas have a local environmental or biological records centre that may be able to provide information on the habitats and species in the area.
- Local groups of wildlife organisations, such as the Scottish Wildlife Trust and RSPB, can be found across Scotland. Their knowledge of local wildlife can inform consideration of the likelihood of enhancing or attracting particular species.
31. Delivering many of these measures, particularly for the larger scales of local development, can benefit from engagement with the local community and wildlife groups. Opportunities can include:
- drawing on the knowledge of local groups in considering the suitability of the measures to be installed;
- working with local groups on constructing or installing the measures;
- involving local groups in the monitoring and maintenance of measures; and
- promoting awareness and understanding of the measures incorporated in the development and the benefits they provide for biodiversity.
Information to include in the Planning Application
32. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the biodiversity measures proposed for incorporating in the development at an early stage with the Planning Authority.
33. Planning applications should include a statement setting out the measure(s) to be included with an accompanying plan. Where measures are incorporated into a building or other structure, appropriate elevation drawing(s) should be included. Where a design statement has been prepared, either as a requirement or voluntarily, the biodiversity statement could be incorporated into this (Planning Advice Note 68: Design Statements provides advice on their purpose and content).
34. The statement should summarise the current biodiversity interest and explain the reasons for the biodiversity measures selected (including any support provided by the LBAP), how the development has taken into account the opportunities for enhancing biodiversity on site and its consideration of surrounding habitat, and how their future retention and long-term management will be secured. If details are contained in other documents and plans these should be listed. It should be clear that the measures proposed are in addition to what is required from applying the mitigation hierarchy to minimise the residual effects of the proposed development.
35. The level of information to be provided will vary with the site, scale and complexity of the development, and the type of measures to be incorporated.
- For the smallest developments (such as a single house), a simple plan and / or elevation drawing with an accompanying statement describing the measure(s) should be provided.
- For larger developments (for example with multiple buildings and access arrangements), a detailed landscape plan and / or elevation drawing with an accompanying statement describing the measure(s), their relationship with species and habitats on and surrounding the site, and mechanism by which their retention and long term management will be secured should be provided.
- For developments that have undertaken a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA – see Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal) or Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA – see Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland), these studies should address the opportunities for enhancing biodiversity on the site. The plan, drawing and accompanying statement should set out how these opportunities will be delivered to their maximum potential. Where opportunities identified in the PEA or EcIA are not incorporated in the development the reasons for this should be clearly set out.
36. The statement and relevant plan(s) / elevation drawing(s) will form part of the approved application.
Determining the scale of enhancement to be delivered by development
37. Draft NPF4 Universal Policy 3(e) requires proposals for development to deliver appropriate measures to enhance biodiversity, in proportion to the nature and scale of development. Based on the measures identified in the proposal, it will be for the Planning Authority to decide whether these are appropriate in the circumstances of a particular application, and whether the biodiversity measures proposed are considered proportionate. This will be a matter of judgement that takes into account a number of considerations, including:
- The nature, scale and location of the development - many of the measures can be implemented multiple times across larger developments to the benefit of biodiversity and increase the likelihood of success.
- The nature, quantity, cost and future management requirements of the measures proposed – many of the measures can be incorporated into the smallest of developments, and larger developments will be expected to deliver more and at scale.
- The time required to deliver benefits and any uncertainty in achieving this – some measures require time to enhance biodiversity, are dependent on future management or there is uncertainty as to their likely success. A balance needs to be found between delivering enhancements today with confidence, or at a later date with more uncertainty.
- The opportunities the development presents for enhancement – the greater the opportunity the higher the expectation is of the development realising this.
4. KEY SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION
38. A wealth of information and advice on development and nature can be found on NatureScot’s website and those of various wildlife organisations. These complement the further information identified under each measure in Section 2. We recommend exploring the following sources to learn more about some of the measures identified above, and the individual species and habitats supported.
General sources on enhancement for nature
- Association of Local Environmental Records Centres provides contact details of local centres across Scotland
- The National Biodiversity Network’s NBN Atlas Scotland provides an online portal to the largest collection of freely available biodiversity data
- Partnership for Biodiversity in Planning provides an online Wildlife Assessment Check toolkit for identifying whether small to medium scale development requires expert ecological advice, and guidance on enhancement for species
- CIRIA’s Big Biodiversity Challenge is an award promoting biodiversity enhancements on construction sites, new development and existing buildings
- The following publications provide an overview and case studies of many of the biodiversity measures discussed in this guidance.
- NHBC’s Biodiversity in New Housing Developments: creating wildlife-friendly communities (2021)
- The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology’s Biodiversity Toolkit for Housing Providers (2020)
- The Wildlife Trusts’ Homes for people and wildlife - How to build housing in a nature-friendly way (2018)
Organisations
- Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust
- Barn Owl Trust
- Bat Conservation Trust
- British Hedgehog Preservation Society
- British Herpetological Society
- British Trust for Ornithology (Garden BirdWatch project)
- Buglife
- Bumblebee Conservation Trust
- Butterfly Conservation
- Freshwater Habitats Trust
- Froglife
- Hedgelink
- Living Roofs
- People’s Trust for Endangered Species
- Plantlife
- Royal Horticultural Society (Wildlife Gardening)
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
- Scottish Wildlife Trust
- Social Farms and Gardens
- Susdrain
- Swift Conservation
- Wild About Gardens
- Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (gardening for wetlands)
- Wildlife Gardening Forum
- Wildlife Trusts (wildlife gardening)
- Woodland Trust