Natural resources
Minimising the impact of the college on Land resources
Site investigations should be completed in accordance with the relevant British Standards to assess the ground conditions, engineering properties of the soil, ground water and chemical constituents of soil. Once these are understood, the most appropriate method of utilizing the land can be established in order to maintain existing conditions or improve the quality to add value to the site.
Soil
Soil is an integral part of the environment, it is essential for the production of food and other crops, for maintaining biodiversity, for landscape, for its structural properties. Top soil should be protected, and where possible not taken off a site. All soil should be treated as a valuable resource and recycled on sites where possible.
Questions to consider
- Is there topsoil present?
- How can it best be sustained?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
VISION
Uptake of designated and protected areas
The special natural, cultural and archaeological characteristics of our landscape are highly valued and must be retained. All designated and protected areas should be preserved, where possible habitats should not be fragmented but enhanced where possible.
Questions to consider
- Is there an area of special characteristic on site?
- Is this preserved?
- Could this area be enhanced?
- Has the design team consulted relevant bodies regarding any architectural, historic or archaeological features on site?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN
Land reclamation
Land contamination can cause harm to human health and the wider environment, including pollution of water resources, in cases where contamination is causing unacceptable risks, the sites must be remediate, the most sustainable method would be to contain/remediate the contamination on site, as opposed to off-site disposal.
Questions to consider
- Is the land contaminated?
- Is it in need of containing/remediating on site?
- Is this sustainable?
- Is the site defined as significantly contaminated?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN
Derelict land
Derelict land is land that has been previously used; there may or may not be contamination on the site. Where possible new development should reuse derelict sites.
Questions to consider
- Is the site a derelict site?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
VISION
