How it works
The BwN Standards provide a national framework of evidence-based, industry-tested standards that define high-quality green infrastructure.
The Standards can be adopted by local authorities as a benchmark for assessing and accrediting the quality of development. Both forward planning and development management teams can benefit from using the BwN Standards and Accreditation system.
Developers can be signposted to use the BwN Standards to create better places for people and wildlife. In addition, local authorities may also encourage, or require, successful achievement of a BwN Award as a preferred mechanism for demonstrating a commitment to design and build quality. A BwN Award is an external verification that reassures a range of stakeholders that the benefits of high-quality green infrastructure will be more effectively secured at each stage of development, including implementation and post-construction, and by requiring evidence of effective arrangements for long-term management and maintenance. There are two types of BwN Award for physical development:
BwN Design Award is used to accredit projects at an early stage of design, for example an outline planning application in larger schemes
BwN Full Award is used to accredit projects at a more detailed stage of design and includes a post-construction check.
The BwN Standards can also support policy making. Strategic policy documentation, such as Local Plans and SPDs, can be strengthened by integrating the BwN Standards wording or content; and policy documents can also achieve a BwN Policy Award. Download BwN’s key references document to review how local authorities across the UK are using the BwN Standards in policy documentation.
How to start
Download the BwN Standards Framework and start familiarising yourself with “what good looks like” to support cross-disciplinary decision making about securing high-quality green infrastructure in policy making and development management.
Consider the Green Infrastructure training products we offer for local authorities, to support your team’s knowledge and skills to make more effective design and development decisions. Building consensus across teams and getting buy-in from strategic decision makers is a key step in finding practical ways to make good on your commitment to tackling the Climate, Ecological and Health Emergencies.
Apply for an Award
If you are interested in applying for a BwN Award to confirm that your policy documents meet the BwN benchmark for high-quality green infrastructure, the next step is to talk to a BwN Approved Assessor. You can select an Assessor from our UK-wide Approved Assessor network - Find an Assessor, or utilise our Approved Assessor training to develop in-house Building with Nature expertise.
For further information on the benefits for developers of BwN accreditation please see our information sheet “BwN Accreditation: Benefits to developers”.
