Environmental

What is Environmental Compliance and Why is it Important?

Every company has a duty to comply with environmental regulations and requirements. They need to adhere to the local or national environmental regulatory requirements in all aspects of their business, including their operational activities, and the products or services that they offer. Many organizations choose to work alongside environmental compliance

Read More »

App Launched to Manage Protected Wildlife

Members of the construction industry benefit now from a newly launched app that offers practical advice on how to manage a range of protected species commonly encountered on construction sites. The Working with Wildlife app includes information on species like badgers, bats, birds, dormice, great crested newts, otters, reptiles and

Read More »

Young Entrepreneur Takes Market by Storm

An ambitious entrepreneur is seeking to take the market by storm with his first housing development on a site in Corby. At only 26 years, Joseph Daniels from Essex already has 27 directorships under his belt, with one of his ventures, Project Etopia, securing £3 million backing from hedge fund

Read More »

Kier Fenstanton Site Protects Great Crested Newts

A significant area comprising ponds, scrub, logpile and grassland have been created and fenced off to protect a population of great crested newts at Kier Living Eastern’s housing development in Fenstanton. The species was discovered at The Park housing development ahead of construction. Working with CSA Environmental, Kier Living Eastern

Read More »

MINING SEARCHES: WHY IT PAYS TO KNOW WHAT’S UNDERGROUND

The UK once played a starring role in producing some of the world’s most valuable fossil fuels and minerals, and while the ‘golden age’ of mining may be consigned to the past, mines continue to leave a legacy on the land. Historic mines have the potential to impact today’s developers,

Read More »

Featuring North Midland Group: Interview With Matthew Barney (Supply Chain Manager) & Bill Ball (Integrated Management System Manager)

North Midland Group: A Greener Way Of Doing Things (The Following is a Promoted Article) For more than a decade, North Midland Group has developed leading practices in sustainability and environmental efficiency. Across its various divisions – which include construction, civil engineering, highways and utilities, and mechanical and electrical –

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 325 : Feb 2025

Environmental

What is Environmental Compliance and Why is it Important?

Every company has a duty to comply with environmental regulations and requirements. They need to adhere to the local or national environmental regulatory requirements in all aspects of their business, including their operational activities, and the products or services that they offer. Many organizations choose to work alongside environmental compliance and consulting services to ensure they comply with the legal regulations. Since environmental compliance can be complicated, gaining help from an expert company can be helpful. Who Defines Environmental Compliance Regulations? Ultimately, environmental compliance lays out a set of rules that every company must follow to reduce the negative impacts that their operations might have on the environment. These rules are determined by regulatory bodies, such as: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces many federal environmental laws and regulations for environmental and community benefits. Department of the Interior implements federal laws that are associated with public lands management, conservation regulations, mining, and natural resources. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulates the transportation of hazardous materials, such as radioactive substances, oil, and natural gas. There are many more regulatory bodies, all of which are involved in creating the laws around environmental compliance. Creating an Environmental Compliance Report Larger organizations can hire a team of staff dedicated to generating environment compliance reports. Smaller companies may outsource their environmental compliance reports to a third-party company or an environmental regulator. The following information may be included in an environmental compliance report: The overall impact of the business on the environment Strategies and policies that the business plans to implement to reduce or eliminate their environmental impact Any relevant permits or licenses Details of when and where the business has handled hazardous materials Details of how the business disposes of hazardous waste materials Why is Environmental Compliance Important? Companies have both legal and ethical responsibilities to protect the environment in as many ways as possible. By implementing policies to be compliant with environmental regulations, businesses can also gain a positive reputation and widen their customer base. More customers are now searching for organizations and brands that are making a conscious effort to protect the environment. Consumers are now choosing to support brands that are trying to mitigate harm to the environment over companies that aren’t making the same efforts. There are several additional benefits of environmental compliance. It enables a company to: Identify the environmental issues that are impacting business operations or stunting business growth Identify where their current business operations might be negatively impacting the environment Create and implement strategies or policies to mitigate any negative environmental impacts and reduce the environmental footprint associated with their daily operations Mitigate the risks of non-compliance Recognize the required environmental permits and licenses, and apply for them if necessary Identify the most cost-efficient and resource-efficient ways of maintaining environmental compliance Define the process of getting rid of hazardous waste materials or substances

Read More »

Revolutionary building technology enables HS2 to tap carbon-free renewable energy

Breakthrough offers potential to power Britain’s new high speed railway stations An HS2 building site is the test bed for a revolutionary new building method that could ultimately provide carbon-free energy to stations on Britain’s new high speed rail network. The breakthrough, part of HS2’s Innovation programme, and soon to be trialled by contractors Mace Dragados at the project’s Euston station site in London, will draw ground heat up through the foundations of a newly built construction site office. The innovation’s developer, civil engineering experts, Keltbray, estimates its technology will harness enough energy to supply 80% of the building’s heating and hot water. With such obvious potential benefits, engineers are already exploring how the new piling technology known as HIPER* pile could be incorporated into HS2’s stations at Euston and Curzon Street in Birmingham to supply zero-carbon renewable energy. The environmentally-friendly innovation takes advantage of a new piling technique that swaps solid concrete foundation piles for recyclable hollow ones made from a steel industry waste product that reduces the carbon-intensive cement content by up to 70%.   How it works As part of the site office’s foundations, the hollow tube piles are bored up to 25 metres into the ground and filled with water, before pipes carrying cold flowing water to and from the building above are run through each pile cylinder. As the ground’s heat warms the standing water in the cylinders, heat is transferred to the pipes and carried to the surface to supply the building’s heating system and hot water.    In a novel twist, the technology can be reversed in the summer to be used like air conditioning to cool the building by transferring heat back into the ground. HS2 Ltd innovation manager, Heather Donald said: “The potential benefits of this innovation are obvious. By harnessing ground heat this technology has the potential to provide both heating, cooling and hot water to HS2 stations – increasing sustainability by reducing their carbon footprint and running costs.” Mace Dragados Programme Director, Ben Wheeldon, said: “One of our ambitions at HS2 Euston Station is to be recognised as a leading project by the public, the industry and our neighbours, and so it’s incredibly exciting for us to have the opportunity to trial this innovative piling technology. It has the clear potential to reduce the use of materials, streamline the piling process, reduce costs and significantly shrink our carbon footprint.” Keltbray Technical Manager, Asha Panchal said: “The innovation combines a number of novel technological breakthroughs to deliver the first major change in the piling industry for over 70 years. HIPER Piles use zero-cement concrete, halving embedded carbon emissions compared with a traditional methods.  The fact that HIPER piles are hollow also means that they are 60% more thermally conductive so they can harness the earth’s natural zero-carbon thermal energy more efficiently than conventional solid thermal piles.”   

Read More »

App Launched to Manage Protected Wildlife

Members of the construction industry benefit now from a newly launched app that offers practical advice on how to manage a range of protected species commonly encountered on construction sites. The Working with Wildlife app includes information on species like badgers, bats, birds, dormice, great crested newts, otters, reptiles and water voles. Moreover, the app also details information on how to recognise these species and what signs to look for on site, allowing decisions to be made on whether works can continue or whether they need to stop whilst further advice is sought. As well as species information, it also contains an introduction to the key aspects of current legislation, a gallery of photographs to help identify species, signs of their presence and habitats, a glossary of some of the terms used, plus references and further reading. “The adaptation of the Working With Wildlife guidance into app form enables construction companies to easily share our guidance and puts it directly into the hands of their on-site employees. This will be invaluable in helping developers meet legislation requirements and encourage an understanding of the issues around wildlife conservation that their projects may come up against,” said John Newton, Founder and Strategic Advisor, Ecology Consultancy. The app was introduced by CIRIA and The Ecology Consultancy in order to allow contractors and construction workers to easily access key information about species on the go. “This new resource further enhances CIRIA’s commitment to champion biodiversity in the built environment. Alongside the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards, we hope that this app will enable construction professionals to ensure that industry can be even more widely proactive in ensuring the future of our endangered species,” added Leanne Clowting, Executive Director, CIRIA. Working with Wildlife is available for free on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.

Read More »

Young Entrepreneur Takes Market by Storm

An ambitious entrepreneur is seeking to take the market by storm with his first housing development on a site in Corby. At only 26 years, Joseph Daniels from Essex already has 27 directorships under his belt, with one of his ventures, Project Etopia, securing £3 million backing from hedge fund speculator Stanley Fink earlier this year. Project Etopia aims to build homes from modular kits using structural insulated panels, which would be made in a new factory set to open in Deeside in January. A site at Prior Halls in Corby has already been bought and it will house 47 eco-homes fitted with energy saving and storage technology. The homes incorporate Daikin mechanical ventilation, heat recovery, air purification and solar power as standard. “Old building techniques are exacerbating the housing crisis and it’s totally unnecessary. Corby is leading the way in showing how villages of the future should be built. Modular building is now so advanced, it is senseless to cling to bricks and mortar, which takes longer to build and is far more expensive,” said Joseph. Jospeh Daniels plans to start groundwork this month, while construction for the 47 homes, comprised of 31 houses and 16 apartments, will begin in February. By constructing the exterior shell in a factory, costs a lowered. A four-bed house is expected to sell for between £320,000 and £350,000, while new brick and mortar builds in Priors Hall Park cost from £450,000 to £575,000. His target market is young Londoners prepared to put up with an expensive commute in exchange for a foot on the housing ladder. “With a desperate need for more housing stock around the country, it is vital developers and investors finally let go of preconceptions of modular building. These are homes people really want to live in and they present huge environmental benefits from being energy neutral to requiring less on-site traffic during the build. Commuter villages like this offer younger would-be homeowners the wage benefits of working in the capital but without the high property costs, and Etopia Corby will be a model other councils can follow,” Joseph added. The factory planned for Deeside has a planned capacity of 2,000 units a year and is co-owned with Istidama, a company run by Christopher Moss and previously called Ecomech Structurally Insulated Panels. Project Etopia also co-owns a production facility at Butterleigh Sawmill near Tiverton with its home build partner Etribus. The first four homes in Corby are expected to be completed by the end of March, with each unit taking no more than six to eight weeks to build, and the whole scheme completed by autumn 2019.

Read More »

RIDGEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND DEVELOP TRAINING TO HOST FREE-TO-ATTEND ASBESTOS IN SOIL SEMINARS

Develop Training Ltd (DTL), a leading training provider to the construction sector, is working with Ridgewood Environmental Ltd to stress the need to prepare workers against the threat posed by asbestos in the ground. Ridgewood Environmental Ltd and third-party provider, DTL, have recently been approved by UKATA to deliver a brand new Asbestos in Soils training course. In order to launch the training they are inviting employers to attend one of two free seminars on Thursday 8th November at DTL’s Derby centre.  The seminars will allow employers to view some of the course content, meet the training team and ultimately find out if the training is suitable for their employees. Several external speakers will also be in attendance, including representatives from Tanglewood Environment and Dyne Solicitors who will be discussing legislation and duty of care for asbestos contaminated soil.  Jim Donnelly, a training delivery manager at DTL, said: “The menace from asbestos in buildings is well known but it can also be hazardous when disturbed in the soil. Finding it beforehand is a challenge for construction site managers. The substance may be present as fragments of insulation materials visible to the naked eye or as micro fibres requiring scientific tests to confirm their presence.”  He added: “People need the skills to conduct proper risk assessment and to implement a range of other steps depending on the nature and scale of the problem.”  Those steps could include ensuring licensed personnel carry out remediation work, informing the Health and Safety Executive of the incident and providing protective equipment including respirators. Disposing of waste and decontaminating operatives may also be required, and air monitoring might be set up on site or near to neighbouring homes.  At the seminars, representatives from Ridgewood Environmental and DTL will unveil their latest training course, UKATA Asbestos in Soils. The course, delivered by third-party provider DTL, is tailored towards supervisors, managers and CDM duty holders who may work on sites where asbestos is present.  Attendees will be able to see course content first-hand, and ask questions of DTL’s expert trainers and delivery team.   Date: Thursday 8th November 2018 Location: Develop Training, Derby Training Centre, Ascot Drive, DE24 8GW Seminar 1: 9:30 – 12:00 Seminar 2: 13:00 – 15:30   Both seminars will contain the same content.  The seminars have already attracted attention from DTL’s existing high profile customer list that includes leading construction and utility firms, private companies and public sector organisations, with the morning session already almost fully booked.   To book a free space, go to http://resources.developtraining.co.uk/asbestos_in_soils_seminars_nov2018

Read More »

Kier Fenstanton Site Protects Great Crested Newts

A significant area comprising ponds, scrub, logpile and grassland have been created and fenced off to protect a population of great crested newts at Kier Living Eastern’s housing development in Fenstanton. The species was discovered at The Park housing development ahead of construction. Working with CSA Environmental, Kier Living Eastern secured a mitigation licence from Natural England and began work to protect the existing pond while creating new habitats where the newts can take refuge nearby. “Kier Living Eastern has ensured that the great crested newts are protected and has been dedicated to creating habitats for their long-term conservation. The newts now have a combination of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, as well as log piles and places to hibernate, which they can use to breed, take refuge and hibernate year-round. Great crested newts really are a key part of this development,” said Joanne Makin, senior ecologist at CSA Environmental, who was also involved in the project. Measures to protect the 40 newts found were put in place before construction started, including fencing off areas of long grassland and scrub which are ideal habitats for newts. To ensure these areas were not accidentally disturbed, Kier Living Eastern erected fencing and signs to inform the public not to enter for the safety of the newts. Further work to enhance the existing pond, grassland and orchard habitats was undertaken and a new wildlife pond created, that is linked to the existing pond via a ‘newt corridor’. A small number of newts were moved to the new habitat. “We were thrilled to work with CSA Environmental on this important project. Kier Living Eastern takes its responsibilities as a housebuilder very seriously, and that includes protecting the local environment we become a part of. We are happy to say the great crested newts are very much a part of The Park development and thanks to the work of CSA Environmental, the newts will continue to thrive,” commented David Thomas, sales and marketing director for Kier Living Eastern. The Park is a development of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes perfect for first-time buyers, expanding families searching for larger homes and couples looking to downsize. The new homes will benefit from this outstanding location being close to the A14 and its links to Cambridge and Huntingdon, and within easy walking distance of the centre of Fenstanton with its pubs, eateries and shops.

Read More »

MINING SEARCHES: WHY IT PAYS TO KNOW WHAT’S UNDERGROUND

The UK once played a starring role in producing some of the world’s most valuable fossil fuels and minerals, and while the ‘golden age’ of mining may be consigned to the past, mines continue to leave a legacy on the land. Historic mines have the potential to impact today’s developers, property owners and purchasers, and if not identified early on during a project or sale, could wipe thousands off a land or home’s value. Historic mining activity is still affecting the modern property and land development market, and it’s not just in known mining hotspots such as Cornwall, with an estimated 150,000 abandoned mines across the UK – from Lands’ End to John O’Groats. Identifying and remediating mining risks can not only help in the construction of a safe development, property or public area, but can also play a significant role during sale negotiations if a mining search is conducted early enough – potentially saving hundreds of thousands of pounds. Paul Raglan, Managing Director, Mining Searches UK, outlines how and why mining searches are crucial in today’s property and land markets, and while often seen as an inconvenience, can play a vital role in not only mitigating risk and negotiating best price, but can be a fundamental factor during development design. Damage Limitation Mining searches are essential for any piece of land to determine whether there is evidence of historical mining activity beneath it, or in the surrounding areas. This is important even for areas where there are no obvious signs of mining as closed mines leave very little, if any, evidence on the surface, but still have the potential to cause major problems if not investigated. Mine workings commonly run long distances beneath the ground from mine shafts and extend beneath land that is due to be developed – as well as existing residential properties. These shafts and tunnels could potentially cave in if not properly dealt with, causing subsidence and damage to buildings above them – so it’s important that this is addressed before this situation arises to not only save further financial investment in the future, but to also safeguard the lives of those living above. Today, closed mines are capped and filled in to stabilise them and minimise risk, but old mine-shafts were not always dealt with in this way. Cases of old shafts collapsing and causing damage to houses are regularly reported, and while being an obvious risk to safety, can also dramatically reduce the value of land. To ensure land is purchased and sold at the best price, it can prove valuable to know the finer workings of the area in question, given sizeable sums of money are often at stake. Developers aware of land with a known mine, can potentially negotiate value down considerably – but only if they are willing to invest in further investigations and remediation. Once completed, this can potentially propel value up by over 100% dependent on location. Detailed Design There are also environmental issues associated with old mine workings. Topsoil containing dangerous, naturally-occurring elements such as arsenic may be present, which can dictate where various developments can or can’t take place. For example, areas with arsenic present are usually not suitable for home gardens or parks but are safe when surfaced with concrete, and can be used for car parks, playing fields or roads. Identification of these areas is key to not only minimise land wastage, but this information can better inform early development designs and plans, putting every available space to best use. Essential Expertise Before any negotiations, plans or exchanges take place, it is crucial to call the experts in. A team of specialists will check all available archived records of the land and surrounding areas – including Aerial surveys and Ordnance surveys, town plans, estates and maps, as well as using research from mining historians. Using all this information, a full risk assessment and conclusion should be provided as part of a detailed report. Where significant mining features are identified, ground investigation is recommended to clarify any associated risks. In the worst-case scenario, where investigation confirms the presence of mining features, property can be rendered unsuitable for mortgage and available for cash purchase only, often with a commensurate drop in value. It is always wise for developers of new communities to eliminate the risk of this happening from the start by ensuring that thorough mining searches have been conducted on any piece of land due for development, and not just those earmarked for residential areas. Some developers purchase land direct from construction or remediation companies, which have already taken steps to address mining concerns – including remediation – leaving developers free to press on with their plans. However, developers need to ensure that a trusted and industry recognised mining search organisation has been used by the seller, as well as requesting all certificates to ensure that the land is completely safe for commercial or residential construction. Although the results of a mining search can often uncover unwelcome information, knowledge really is power, and it is crucial to detect and fix potential problems before they occur. While many of the UK’s mines closed decades ago, they are still a key consideration in today’s property and development industry. By addressing at the earliest possible stages, developers can not only save time and money in the long term but can also ensure the construction of safe and attractive communities, designed around the best use of the land. https://www.miningsearchesuk.com/

Read More »

Featuring North Midland Group: Interview With Matthew Barney (Supply Chain Manager) & Bill Ball (Integrated Management System Manager)

North Midland Group: A Greener Way Of Doing Things (The Following is a Promoted Article) For more than a decade, North Midland Group has developed leading practices in sustainability and environmental efficiency. Across its various divisions – which include construction, civil engineering, highways and utilities, and mechanical and electrical – NM Group has worked closely with partners, its supply chain and clients to fulfil its ambitious green agenda. This has seen it develop an enviable reputation, solidify long-term relationships and win a number of accolades for environmental best practice. Originally known as North Midland Construction, the company was formed in 1946 by William Morris and Major Terence Moyle to provide duct laying to the Post Office before moving onto other areas such as road maintenance and civil engineering. Today, the Group, which remains headquartered in Nottinghamshire, turns over approximately £200m a year having acquired many blue chip clients and a presence on longstanding frameworks. A multiple Green Apple award winner over the last ten years, NM Group continues to develop new ways to reduce carbon emissions while increasing awareness towards sustainable working practices across its workforce and supply chain. This year NMC Nomenca celebrated a gold Green Apple Award and was also bestowed the Champion of Champions accolade. NMC Nomenca, a division established in 2009 dedicated towards the Group’s AMP5/6 infrastructure and non-infrastructure frameworks with Severn Trent Water for both Civil and MEICA projects, successfully cut costs and improved efficiencies at Nottingham’s Stoke Bardolph wastewater treatment works. The project was underpinned by NM Group’s commitment to sustainability, encompassing a number of measures to successfully complete the contract in the greenest possible away. For instance, the ground around the site is made up of sandy gravels so a recycling programme was formed to re-use available material. A total of 85,000m3 of sieved material was removed, equivalent to 187,000 tonnes, which created 50,000 tonnes of sand and 40,000 tonnes of 20mm gravel used to lay ducting and landscaping, and 70,000 tonnes of 10mm gravel for pipe bedding. In addition, 17,000 tonnes was used as both back fill and to provide a wildlife bund giving permanent noise and visual screening for the local residents. This resulted in a product saving of £1.2m, with no waste sent to landfill. This achievement was similarly recognised for a scheme at Leamington Spa for which NMC Nomenca was bestowed the Green World Ambassador Award for the reuse of spoil materials. Integrated Management System Manager Bill Ball, who has worked extensively to develop the company’s environmental credentials, proudly reveals that over the last five years, it has been Severn Trent Water’s best performing “green” contractor based on the client’s strict critical success factors regarding recycling rates and reuse of spoil. The Group’s attention to detail extends to the way in which it has faced the challenges of environmental responsibility and how, working collaboratively with its supply chain, it can make tangible additional gains. Recently this was exampled by its BS 11000 certification. The accreditation examples best practice in the way the company has innovatively developed business partnerships, incentivising ways in which it can work alongside its supply chain to operate in a more sustainable fashion. Matthew Barney, NM Group’s Supply Chain Manager, said, “In essence BS 11000 is not a new way of thinking or working for us and our supply chain. It is business as usual.” He added that the accreditation has helped the Group formalised process and framework for the work it does and the practices of how it engages, communicates and collaborates with its supply chain. “It enabled us to understand the best practices from different work streams and create a strategy to bring these all together in one place and from this create a measurable long term vision to support the operational teams.” It also enhances the company’s reputation as one which works with the supply chain on a mutual platform. “We look to create value rather than cutting costs. We look to collaborate to illicit innovation at the very earliest stages of a project, and through long-term relationships – where you have built a knowledge of the team around you and incentivised appropriately – you generate innovation much earlier and much more openly.” Its endeavours to reduce waste and its overall carbon footprint are further highlighted by the Group’s certification to ISO 14001, where it has formally targeted key areas where gains can be made. This has resulted in a confident approach to reduce waste and resource use, while sourcing responsibly. It has also looked to proactively measure its environmental impact and improve operational behaviours. This has seen NM Group set itself challenging targets but ones it is already managing to meet. For example, in 2014 it reduced its waste to landfill by 15% with its Stoke Bardolph project achieving “zero waste to landfill”. Its carbon footprint has similarly been cut, with a 10% reduction compared to 2013 levels. These achievements have been enhanced by increased usage of recycled aggregate. Multiple environmental awards were achieved last year including three Green Apple accolades and two Green World Ambassador awards, while more than 150 members of staff have now enjoyed environmental training. The Group is also CEMARS (Certified Emissions Measurement And Reduction Scheme) accredited. This year, the business has pressed forward with further initiatives such as utilising hybrid power sources for its site cabins so they are not reliant on generators which can be switched off for a period of time potentially reducing costs by up to 50%. It is also working closely with its partners to improve resource use. For example, it wants to enhance its utilisation of backloads to deliver more segregated waste to licensed recycling plants to be processed and sold. Incentives encourage the supply chain to bring their own ideas to the table and this has led to some of the Group’s recent achievements. Significantly, it has made major carbon reduction gains through its sizeable fleet of more than 400 vehicles. Vehicle tracking has been fitted to monitor driver behaviour

Read More »