Every developer knows each site is unique, with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Encompassing both points in a regulatory nutshell is the government’s new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) mandate. Now mandatory for all sites, it means developers must ensure a minimum of 10% BNG on new developments in England. So what does BNG entail?
BNG – challenges and opportunities
The UK’s seen a significant decline in biodiversity in recent decades, driven by habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. BNG marks a turning point; with its aim to actively protect and enhance the natural environment around projects, leaving a positive legacy for the future.
This shift means both challenges and exciting opportunities. Adapting to new regulations and integrating BNG into current processes might seem daunting, but the potential benefits can be huge. Developers who embrace BNG are seen as environmentally responsible, securing a competitive edge in a market increasingly focused on sustainability.
According to the Home Builders Federation, 93% of SME housebuilders say delays in getting planning permission are a major barrier to growth. ESP Utilities offers a number of solutions that include environmental considerations in your processes, saving time, admin, and money, while delivering your BNG obligations.
ESP Utilities offers a number of solutions that include environmental considerations in your processes, saving time, admin, and money, while delivering your BNG obligations.
Who are ESP?
We are one of the UK’s largest and longest-established independent utility network operators, with over 20 years in the industry and over 1m connections – powering households, new developments, and a range of industrial and commercial operations.
In short, we partner with contractors and developers to adopt and manage the network of gas, electricity, water, and wastewater services and infrastructure – providing support, technical guidance and market-leading asset values, all tailored to your precise needs.
Regardless of how challenging your site is, our understanding, experience, and agility can help. We don’t shy away from complexity. We find solutions and pathways to success.
The ESP approach
Integrating BNG and other environmental benefits into your development plans requires expertise and a collaborative approach to find innovative, cost-effective solutions to enhance your eco-credentials.
Turning obligations into opportunities
We can turn a compliance hurdle into a community asset through creative ‘placemaking’ strategies:
Dual-use SuDS:
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are vital for managing rainwater runoff in new developments. We go beyond the functional, designing SuDS that double as playgrounds, learning areas, or beautiful green spaces, fostering interaction with nature.
Community collaboration:
We work with local community groups, park trusts, and management companies to tailor maintenance of the green infrastructure in ways that best suit the local environment and residents.
Biomimicry in action:
We prioritise natural solutions over carbon-heavy concrete for outfall structures, mimicking nature’s drainage processes for a more sustainable and aesthetically
pleasing result.
Flexibility and innovation:
Our flexible approach explores ways to up the eco ante, and go beyond typical standards, ensuring successful integration on any project.
Optimising costs and benefits
Achieving BNG and meeting environmental needs doesn’t have to be costly. Our value engineering expertise helps you optimise your development plans.
Remove inefficient equipment:
ESP advocates for the utilisation of deep boreholes over surface water pumping stations due to their energy inefficiency and potential for problems. Unlike many incumbents, ESP prioritises the adoption of deep boreholes when viable, aiming to mimic the natural environment whenever possible.
Environmental design:
We champion effective design. We can work with your teams to maximise site usage, like encouraging surface water networks to flow to a watercourse rather than back to the incumbent – easing pressure on the downstream network and protecting the wider environment. Or opting for appropriate, alternative infrastructure, such as replacing concrete pipes with lighter, faster and CO2-reducing solutions.
Streamlined designs:
As an independent adopter, we are able to explore flexible, alternate and different options that still meet the high network national standards demanded by guidance.
Standard adoption:
Using us as a single adopter brings an array of benefits, such as removing the need for incumbent-specific, restrictive, high-carbon, expensive network
additions like Ferrule fittings.
By taking over and managing the utility infrastructure, we can give you the cost certainty and peace of mind of knowing the network is designed to get the most out of the installed cables, pipes and switchgear.
No matter what challenges your site throws at you – environmental or otherwise – ESP can help. From adopting the entire site’s utilities needs to providing insight and advice, we offer comprehensive support to increase your asset value, honour environmental obligations and build vibrant, healthy communities.
To find out how ESP solutions can benefit your development, get in touch today.