EDITOR’ S CHOICE
THE PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY ON BUILDING SITES
HOW CONSTRUCTION CAN HELP NATURE THRIVE
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.
Developers are now legally required to deliver a minimum 10 % Biodiversity Net Gain( BNG) on major housing projects. New developments will result in more or higher quality natural habitat than there was before the start of the development. 28 major UK housebuilders have signed up to a voluntary pledge through the Future Homes Hub to enhance wildlife, support climate resilience and improve people’ s health and wellbeing on new home developments. These include installing bat roosts, bird nesting boxes and insect nesting areas.
Manthorpe Building Products is playing its part in supporting initiatives to promote biodiversity by developing products in cooperation with several wellknown and respected wildlife organisations. These include swift nesting boxes within a brick sized module and a bat roost within a dry ridge end cap.
The Manthorpe Swift Brick is the size of a standard brick on the outside, with a tiny, sheltered hole for access, not much bigger than the swift itself, preventing larger predators from getting in. Inside there is a habitable space for the swift to nest, lay its eggs, and for the chicks to grow. A Dual Swift Brick is also available with left or right-hand entrance options and is suitable for narrower cavity walls down to 50mm wide. A rendered wall option is also available.
The Manthorpe Bat Ridge Roost integrates with the Manthorpe handed and ambidextrous SmartVerge systems. It can also be used with third-party dry verge systems and with traditionally mortar bedded roof
Manthorpe Building Products is at the forefront in actively supporting the UK construction industry’ s transition to more sustainable and bio-diversity friendly practices.
verges and is available 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 excess into the roof space of the building.
Being at the end of a ridge, the Bat Ridge Roost is ideal for the bats, who seek a high vantage point, with protection against 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.
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.
www. manthorpebp. co. uk
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