The protection of Biodiversity on building sites

Ask 10 people what they understand biodiversity to mean and you will likely get 10 different answers. In its overall meaning, biodiversity is the scientific measure of all species, vegetation, habitats and ecosystems around the planet. It describes the complexity of life at every level, from the microscopic building blocks of genetics to entire ecosystems like forests and oceans. Biodiversity is essential for supporting human life and a flourishing countryside. It maintains the food we eat, the air we breathe and protects us from pollution, flooding and climate breakdown. A biodiverse ecosystem maintains soil fertility, regulates the climate, cycles vital nutrients, pollinates crops, and provides medicines and raw materials.

One of the biggest threats to the balance of biodiversity is the change of land use, both through the extension of agriculture and new building developments. Over the past five decades the rates of extinction have accelerated many times faster than usual. Many species of birds have either become extinct or reduced significantly in numbers and so have many insects that we rely on.

However, all is not lost. It is possible to restore lost ecosystems by planting trees, shrubs, wildflower meadows, and reintroducing lost animals. Developers are now legally required to deliver a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on major housing projects. Under the Environment Act 2021, BNG is mandatory for developments that need planning permission, where developers must deliver a BNG of at least 10%. This means that a development will result in more or higher quality natural habitat than there was before the start of the development. From November 2026 BNG will also apply to nationally significant infrastructure projects.

Developers must try to avoid or minimise harm to existing nature on site and enhance existing spaces or create new green features. Natural England provides a standard calculation tool to score pre- and post-development value of habitats.

28 major UK housebuilders, who between them build more than 100,000 homes a year, have signed up to a voluntary pledge, led by Homes for Nature, part of the Future Homes Hub, to establish best practices for enhancing wildlife, supporting climate resilience and improving people’s health and wellbeing on new developments. These include installing bat roosts, bird nesting boxes and insect nesting areas. There are also many other initiatives such bee bricks, as well as nature-focused drainage systems and landscaping with pollinator-friendly wild plants.

Manthorpe Building Products is playing its part in supporting initiatives to promote biodiversity by developing products in cooperation with several well-known and respected wildlife organisations. These include swift nesting boxes within a brick sized module and a bat roost within a dry ridge end cap.

Swift brick

Around half of the UK swift population has disappeared in the last 20 years as the birds find it increasingly difficult to find suitable nesting sites, particularly due to modern building legislation which means that new homes are built without nooks and crannies for birds and bees to nest in.

The Manthorpe Swift Nesting Brick (GSWB) has been developed in partnership with several major housebuilders and conservation experts, including RSPB and Action for Swifts. On the outside it is the same size as a standard brick, with a small, sheltered hole for the bird to get

through, not much bigger than the swift itself, ensuring that larger predators cannot get in and kill it or its eggs or chicks. The internal section takes advantage of the wall cavity to provide a habitable space for the swift to nest, lay its eggs, and for the chicks to grow. There is a concave section in which the swift can build its nest and there are integrated floor grips to give the birds better traction.

A Dual Swift Brick is now also available (GSWB-DUAL & GSWB-DUAL-RD) which has a compact design suitable for narrower cavity walls down to 50mm wide. Its ambidextrous design has left or right-hand entrance options. A rendered wall option is also available.

Bat Ridge Roost

Bats make an important contribution to plant pollination. But unfortunately, they are finding it increasingly difficult to locate suitable roosting spots in buildings due to improved building practices and materials. Modern British Standard Codes of practice mean entry points into roof eaves and roof spaces are closed, which have long been the chosen homes for bats, birds, and nesting insects.

Developed in partnership with the Bat Conservation Trust Roost Partnership, the Manthorpe Bat Ridge Roost is designed to seamlessly integrate with the Manthorpe SmartVerge systems, both the handed and ambidextrous versions, though it is just as effective when used with other, third-party dry verge systems and even with traditionally mortar bedded roof verges. The Bat Ridge Roost is designed as a ridge end cap to suit either round or angle ridge tiles. Like a standard ridge end cap, it provides a durable and protected covered finish where the roof verges meet the end of the ridge line. In addition, it houses a secure self-contained interior space, which encourages small crevice-dwelling bat species to use it as their habitable roost and without access into the roof space of the building. Being at the end of a ridge, generally highest point of a building, makes the Bat Ridge Roost highly desirable for the bats who seek a high vantage point, with protection from the elements and predators. Internal climbing grooves and a roughened surface allow easier manoeuvrability inside the roost box and insulated walls create a temperature stable environment.

Conclusion

Manthorpe Building Products is at the forefront in actively supporting the UK construction industry’s transition to more sustainable and bio-diversity friendly practices. New and innovative products, such as the Swift Nesting Brick and Bat Ridge Roost, directly support our construction partners in meeting regulatory requirements as well as supporting biodiversity aims. Manthorpe will long continue to develop solutions to encourage thriving ecosystems for both residents and local wildlife.