Biodiversity Is Becoming Part of the Build
Across the UK, the direction of travel is clear: biodiversity, urban greening and nature-positive development are becoming an increasingly important part of how construction projects are planned and delivered.
Nationally, developers are already required to achieve 10% Biodiversity Net Gain on most qualifying developments, while local authorities are beginning to introduce their own requirements for greener construction sites and living hoardings.
Government guidance on Biodiversity Net Gain:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-biodiversity-net-gain
Westminster – Green Hoardings
Westminster City Council’s updated Code of Construction Practice introduces specific requirements and guidance around green hoardings.
Level 1 – Green hoarding is mandatory for sites with hoardings adjacent to the public highway, unless a robust justification can be provided.
Level 2 – Green hoarding is mandatory wherever practicable, with the level of greening proportionate to the scale, location and duration of the project.
Level 3 – Green hoarding is strongly encouraged and should be incorporated wherever practicable.
The revised Code applies to new applications from June 2026 and to existing active sites from 1 September 2026.
View Westminster City Council’s Code of Construction Practice:
Tower Hamlets – Living Green Hoardings
Tower Hamlets is another London borough actively incorporating biodiversity and living greenery into construction-site requirements.
For strategic and major developments where perimeter hoarding exceeds 50 metres and is expected to remain in place for more than six months, living greenery should cover at least 30% of the total perimeter hoarding, with greater coverage encouraged where possible.
View Tower Hamlets’ construction guidance:
Government Support for Greener Schools
This movement towards greater biodiversity is not limited to construction sites.
Through the Government-backed National Education Nature Park, schools, nurseries and colleges are being encouraged to improve biodiversity and create greener spaces within their grounds.
For the 2026–27 academic year, 765 eligible education settings can apply for grants of up to £5,000, with funding targeted towards settings where greater access to nature can have the greatest impact.
Funding can support projects including green walls, planters, trees, ponds and other measures designed to turn grey spaces into greener, more biodiverse environments.
Government information on the £5,000 funding:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-education-nature-park-grant-funding
Schools can also register with the National Education Nature Park here:
https://www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/
Part of a Bigger Change
From national Biodiversity Net Gain requirements to Westminster’s green-hoarding standards, Tower Hamlets’ living-hoarding guidance and Government investment in greener schools, the message is becoming increasingly consistent:
Biodiversity is becoming part of the way our built environment is designed, constructed and managed.
At Hoardscape, we believe there is an opportunity to get ahead of that change rather than waiting until it becomes a requirement.
If you’re unsure what applies to your project, we can help clarify the requirements, discuss the most appropriate solution and guide you through the process from initial design and planting selection through to installation, maintenance, relocation and reuse.
Don’t wait for greener construction to become the standard. Get ahead of it.
