Environmental Sustainability

(BRE Environmental Assessment Method) is the leading and most widely used method of environmental assessment for buildings. It sets the standard for best practices in sustainable design and has become a de facto measure for describing the environmental performance of a building.

Our fully qualified BREEAM Assessor can carry out environmental assessments for offices, retail and industrial units.

We offer a wide range of services, from simple submission of BREEAM to full sustainable design and construction services. BREEAM enables developers and designers to demonstrate the environmental credentials of their buildings to planners and customers.

The built environment has an enormous impact on both the environment and our lives. It demands heavily on our natural resources, is energy intensive, and if poorly managed, can have a negative impact on our communities and businesses.

The MOD recognises these effects and the need for effective management in this area. Environmental measures implemented in the design, construction and throughout the life of a facility will mitigate these harmful effects, reduce operating costs, and help create better working and living conditions.

Contrary to BREEAM, DREAM charts the project through the four main processes, survey (concept), design, construction and operation.

DREAM assessments have been carried out on various types of projects, ranging from a new Junior Ranks Mess at the RAF Honington to new facilities for the RAF Aerobatics Team (Red Arrows) at the RAF Waddington. As instructed in Defence Estates Policy Instructions and Strategic Briefs, all projects undertaken have achieved an “Excellent” rating.

We have a fully qualified in-house assessor who can provide assessments and advice on building regulations for both private and social housing developments. We can identify and advise on a wide range of achievable criteria to achieve approval of building regulations.

We would advise to be involved in an early stage of a project, in order to make this process as cost-effective and efficient as possible.

Part L was developed to enable a gradual change in sustainable building practices for new homes. In the short term, code compliance is voluntary, but home builders are encouraged to follow the code principles set out in this publication, as the government is considering making an assessment under code standards mandatory in the future.

Part L measures the sustainability of a home compared to design categories and evaluates the “global home” as a complete package. Those familiar with building regulations will recognise this as a major departure from current practice.

CEEQUAL is the Civil Engineering Environment Quality Assessment and Awards Scheme, designed to improve the sustainability of civil engineering and public projects. Castria has a dedicated CEEQUAL assessor who can carry out the self-assessment of projects before their external verification by a trained CEEQUAL appointed assessor.

CEEQUAL strives to achieve economic, social and environmental success simultaneously, corresponding to the triple bottom line, while simultaneously promoting the planning system and its financial and economic models. A wide range of environmental and social issues are assessed, including the impact of a project on neighbours and local communities. The scheme also evaluates energy, waste and materials, which can have significant economic effects.

CEEQUAL aims to promote environmental and social best practices in the civil engineering industry and profession.

Sustainability and Environmental Appraisal Toolkit
SEAT is the single reference point for the methodology of evaluation tools used in the plans, programmes, projects and activities of the MoD estate. It provides guidelines and methodologies for a series of tools to assess and manage the sustainability effects of MoD developments and activities. These tools meet the legal requirements of Defence Estates in relation to;

• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
• Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Appropriate Assessment (AA)
• Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA)
• Regional Social Economic Reporting (RSER)

The evaluation tools are methods to assess and manage the sustainability and environmental effects of developments and activities that have the potential to affect the environment, society or economy, in particular in areas owned, occupied or used by MoD, its agencies and partners.