Southwest
Environmental LimitedSouthwest
Environmental Limited| London |
| 02076 920 670 |
| Exeter |
| 01392 927 961 |
| Manchester |
| 01612 970 026 |
| Bristol |
| 01173 270 092 |
The BREEAM Pre-Assessment reports produced by SWEL are suitable for Planning Application Only. SWEL are not accredited assessors. However we have submitted some >20 BREEAM Pre-Assessment reports to Borough Council Planning Authorities across London, and the reports are well received.
BREEAM is an environmental assessment method for rating and certifying the performance of new homes. It is a national standard for use in the design and construction of new homes with a view to encouraging continuous improvement in sustainable home building.
The report aims to predict a likely BREEAM rating for the proposed development. At this pre-planning stage this relies on a number of assumptions, with regards to the buildings characteristics. Overall scorings and sub-totals per criteria as displayed in Appendix 1. The report investigates all areas required to make judgment on likely BREEAM rating obtained. For refurbishments with subterranean extensions, a minimum BREEAM Rating of "Very Good" is anticipated by Royal Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council, for example, other Borough Councils may have different requirements.
BREEAM
employs 8 sections that are used to provide a final rating. Project details are
included in the following sub chapters along with likely ratings under The
BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment.
The
refurbishment will result in a neutral impact on the dwellings daylighting
levels in the kitchen, living room, dining room and study.
The dwelling
will achieve minimum daylighting levels in the kitchen, living room, dining room
and study.
Kitchens will achieve a minimum Average Daylight Factor of at least 2%.
All living
rooms, dining rooms and studies will achieve a minimum Average Daylight Factor of at least 1.5%
in line with BRE guide BR 209 .
A minimum
level of background ventilation is provided (with trickle ventilators or other
means of ventilation) for all habitable rooms, kitchens, utility rooms and
bathrooms compliant, Building Regulations Approved Document Part F, 2010.
Ventilation will be provided for wet areas compliant with, Building Regulations
Approved Document Part F 2010.
A minimum
level of purge ventilation is provided in all habitable rooms and wet rooms,
compliant with section 7, Building Regulations Approved Document Part F, 2010.
The building is a historic building and meets the requirements for Historic
Buildings.
In line with BS 5906:2005, 30 Litres of dedicated Internal Storage for 3 number bins no less than 7 litres in volume. A private recycling scheme operator will be appointed to maintain bins and collect recyclable waste regularly. Recycling containers will: · Be located in an adequate external space · Be sized according to the frequency of collection, based on guidance from the recycling scheme operator · Store at least three types of recyclable waste in identifiably different bins
So in this manner the above BREEAM Assessment criteria are worked through and opportunities for each are explored, some can generate a lot of point easily, whilst other points are harder to work for! This is where a consultant comes in handy, to tell you which one to go for.
It will be delivered as a PDF document attached to an email.
It takes around 10 working days to produce a BREEAM pre-assessment report. Sometimes quicker, for a small project, sometimes a little longer for a complex projects, with lots of discussion with regards to layout and building systems.
The below section was written by a machine.
A BREEAM Pre-Assessment Report is an essential first step for any development aiming to meet high environmental standards. This early-stage assessment provides a clear roadmap by identifying which credits are most achievable, cost-effective, and aligned with your project’s goals. By conducting this review during the RIBA Stage 1 or 2 design phases, developers can avoid costly retrofits and ensure that target ratings—such as "Very Good" or "Excellent"—are secured within the final planning consent.
The pre-assessment process involves a comprehensive review of the project against the BREEAM technical manual. This identifies the "gap" between current design intentions and the requirements for specific certification levels.
Many local planning authorities across the UK now mandate a BREEAM rating as part of their local plan. A Pre-Assessment Report serves as technical evidence within your Planning Statement, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality, sustainable development. This process also ensures that other technical workstreams, such as Surface Water Management Plans and Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCA), are correctly weighted within the overall sustainability score.
Achieving a successful BREEAM certification requires technical authority and a deep understanding of BREEAM methodologies. Our team provides the professional accreditation (IES/FGS) and specialized insight needed to navigate these complex requirements. We offer granular control over the assessment process, ensuring that credits like Mat 01 (Life Cycle Impacts) or Pol 03 (Flood Risk) are robustly evidenced. With over 900 projects delivered across the UK, SWEL provides the best-in-class consultancy needed to achieve your sustainability targets efficiently and effectively.
Whether you are at the initial feasibility stage or refining a detailed design, our team ensures your sustainability strategy is built on a foundation of professional, accredited science.