Neglected, overlooked, compacted and thrown away - soil and its sustainable management are often at the bottom of the list of concerns during major construction projects.
However, a new blueprint showing how local authorities across England can ensure that soils are better protected during the building of new developments has been launched by a task force led by Lancaster University researchers.
The groundbreaking 'Local Soils Model Policy and Guide', launched on Thursday, May 22nd, is designed to help local authorities integrate sustainable soil policies into their Local Plans.
As part of an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Acceleration Account funded project, the Local Soils Model Policy and Guide has been developed by a team at Lancaster University, Lancaster City Council and Cornwall Council with engagement across the planning and construction sector.
The report, which resulted from consultation with stakeholders across the planning, development, engineering, architecture, construction and environmental sectors, highlights the critical role of soils as a non-renewable resource vital for the environment, water management, and climate change mitigation, and addresses the vital need for integrating sustainable soil management practices into planning and construction across the UK.
Key to securing positive soil outcomes will be the inclusion of an effective soil management policy covering all stages of development within local plans.
The policy recommends that all major development proposals demonstrate careful consideration of sustainable soil management through the submission of a Soil Management Plan and Monitoring Strategy comprised of three parts:
· A Soil Quality Baseline Report that provides a clear baseline assessment of the existing soil quality of the site,
· A Construction Phase Soil Management Plan, and
· A Post-Construction Soil Management and Monitoring Strategy to ensure that the management of soils is appropriately undertaken after construction.
Full details are outlined in the document available here.
Jess Davies, Professor of Sustainability at Lancaster University and joint-lead of the project, said: "Healthy soils are key in tackling climate change, flood risks, and supporting biodiversity, but they are often overlooked, damaged or treated like waste in urban planning and development.
"It's crucial that we stop further damage to these vital ecosystems and integrate soils into the planning system, so we get better environmental outcomes, and as a result, better places to live."
Dr Mirian Calvo, a Lecturer in Participatory Architecture at Lancaster and joint-lead of the project said, "The model policy we have developed aims to support local planning authorities in creating robust planning policies to deliver soil sustainability and healthier more resilient places to live and work. Working together with key actors from across the planning and construction sector has been key - by working together we ensure that the policies are realistic, actionable and beneficial for all involved."
Paul Hatch, Principal Planning Policy Officer at Lancaster City Council, said: "The issue of soils and how the planning process can better protect their value has often been an overlooked but the role of the Soils Taskforce in preparing the model policy will help to elevate the issue and give local planning authorities the opportunity to set their own direction on the management of soils during the construction phase of development."
Birgit Höntzsch, Langarth Garden Village Client Lead at Cornwall Council and a Chartered Landscape Architect, sees significant opportunities to improve sustainability on development sites through sustainable soil management.
She said: "If clients, design teams and contractors work together from the outset to protect, re-use and improve soils on site, they can realise much greater sustainability benefits, significant cost savings and better quality green and blue infrastructure. The policy will encourage that collaboration and better outcomes for soils, thereby assisting to create better places."
Authors of the report include: Jess Davies, Mirian Calvo, John Quinton, Sejal Changede, Shuning Feng and Emelye Gill of Lancaster University; Susanna Dart and Paul Hatch of Lancaster City Council; and Birgit Höntzsch of Cornwall Council.
