BREEAM: Land Use & Ecology

Maximising BREEAM credits in the Land Use and Ecology category requires more than simply complying with baseline requirements – it demands strategic thinking, early involvement, and specialist ecological input. At Sweco, our ecology team partners closely with design and construction teams to unlock the full value of ecological opportunities and ensure measurable biodiversity outcomes that directly contribute to your project’s sustainability goals.

Whether you’re aiming for BREEAM Very Good, Excellent or Outstanding, our expertise ensures that you don’t leave any credits on the table.

LE02: Ecological Risks and Opportunities

LE02 encourages early-stage ecological assessment to understand the baseline condition of the site and to identify both constraints and opportunities.

Our ecology consultants conduct comprehensive site surveys to establish ecological value at the outset. This includes habitat mapping, species assessments, and identifying potential legal or planning issues. By feeding this information into the design process from the start, we help clients make informed decisions that avoid costly redesigns and support credit achievement.

Early ecological input is crucial – not only to secure LE02, but to set the groundwork for downstream credits under LE03, LE04, and LE05.

LE03: Managing Impacts on Ecology

Where ecological features cannot be retained or avoided, LE03 rewards actions taken to minimise harm during development.

We work with project teams to design mitigation measures that are both practical and effective, from protecting root zones and nesting habitats to implementing sensitive construction practices. Our consultants develop mitigation measures tailored to your site and see that they are embedded in the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).

Ongoing site support through the provision of Ecological Clerks of Work ensures that protection measures are upheld during works, satisfying the criteria for LE03 and maintaining compliance with environmental regulations.

LE04: Ecological Change and Enhancement

LE04 assesses the change in ecological value between the pre- and post-development state, rewarding measurable biodiversity enhancement.

Acting as a BREEAM-complaint Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE), our experienced ecologists can use the Defra Biodiversity Metric to accurately quantify biodiversity loss and gain, aligning your project with national Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy. This approach not only maximises your LE04 credits but also supports planning approval in England, where BNG is now a statutory requirement.

By designing tailored biodiversity enhancement strategies—such as wildflower meadows, green roofs, native planting schemes, or wildlife corridors—we deliver measurable ecological uplift with verifiable outcomes.

LE05: Long-term Ecological Management

Securing ecological benefits over the long term is the focus of LE05, which requires a Landscape and Habitat Management Plan (LHMP) and, in many cases, a Tenant or Occupier Pack.

Our ecologists prepare robust LHMPs that outline how habitats will be maintained and monitored for at least five years post-completion. These plans include responsibilities, frequency of monitoring, adaptive management strategies, and ecological performance indicators. For buildings with multiple tenants or building managers, we also prepare user-friendly Tenant or Occupier Packs. These contain guidance on how to care for biodiversity features and promote ongoing ecological stewardship.

By embedding long-term ecological thinking into management strategies, we ensure that biodiversity gains are not only achieved—but maintained.