Winter 2023

GREENSCAPE 

Ensuring Best Practice for Green Roof & Solar PV Projects MAGAZINE 

WINTER 2023 

Academic Corner 

Biosolar Growing benefits 

crops 

Creating a buzz 

Smart roof specification 

Better battery storage 

Gains through BNG 

In collaboration with the Green Roof Organisation

GeoShield 

New Build: 3rd Party Integrity Testing Services 

All Weather Electronic Leak Detection 

Green Roof/Blue Roof/Buried & Podium Decks – 

Latent Defects Policy Support 

Are you complying with your roof deck warranty providers requirements? 

At GeoShield - Verification Programs for Ground Gas Protection, 

Waterproofing & Roof Decks - we carry out Electronic Test Methods (ELD) as 

per those advised by the Roof and Waterproofing Test Association. 

Flat Roofs 

Podium Decks 

Buried Decks 

Balconies 

Cold Roofs 

Green Roofs 

Blue Roofs 

Warm Roofs 

Rapid Response 

Team Available 

Upon Request 

www.geoshield.co.uk • info@geoshield.co.uk • 0113 3208639 •

GREENSCAPE 

IN THIS ISSUE... 

Matt Downs 

Editorial Director 

mattdowns@media-now.co.uk 

07963 330774 

www.greenscapemag.co.uk 

There’s a real ‘buzz’ about this issue of Greenscape, as we take a closer look at the 

power of pollinators and the important role of green roofs in attracting biodiversity 

to urban areas. 

As we approach the January 2024 deadline for the implementation of government’s 

mandatory minimum 10% increase of biodiversity on many developments, Richard 

Tomlinson, a Chartered Landscape Architect and Associate Landscape Manager at The 

Environmental Partnership, provides a great overview of Biodiversity Net gain, explaining 

what it means for developers and the supply chain, and highlighting the key points around 

delivering and achieving BNG, on page 18. As Richard explains: “Establishing the premise 

that the proposed development can deliver an increase in biodiversity is one thing, but this 

will need to realised by skilled landscape operatives and contracts managers, who will be 

required to establish and maintain a wide variety of both broad and niche habitat types, 

whilst working closely with ecologists to monitor the success of the scheme over time.” 

This theme of attracting beneficial insects to the built environment is also central to Dr Tom 

Young’s latest Academic Corner column, where he focuses on entomology and the impact 

of green roofs on insect habitats. Dr Tom interviews entomologist Dr Konstantinos Tsiolis of 

Pollinating London Together, discussing the role of entomologists, his work enhancing green 

spaces in London, and what can be done to improve green roofs as habitats for insects across 

the UK on page 12. 

Front cover image courtesy of Dr Konstantinos Tsiolis. 

See page 12. 

GREENSCAPE 

www.greenscapemag.co.uk 

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Elsewhere in this issue, “Bees and their pollinator pals” are the area of focus for Julian 

Thurbin of Wallbarn. In his article on page 14, he discusses the role of green roofs in creating 

sustainable environments for pollinators as their habitats come under increasing pressure. 

So read on for all this and much more... 

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE... 

This magazine and its packaging can 

be recycled. 

Supported by: 

p 12 

Academic Corner 

Dr Tom 

Young of The 

Environmental 

Partnership (TEP). 

p20 

Biosolar benefits 

Luke Rootham 

and Michael 

Anaxagorou of 

Axter. 

p26 

Smart roof spec 

Stuart 

Nicholson, Roof 

Systems Director 

at Marley. 

This issue Dr Tom focuses on 

entomology - the study of insects 

and their relationship to humans, the 

environment, and other organisms – and 

puts the questions to Dr Konstantinos 

Tsiolis of Pollinating London Together 

P 12 

Luke and Michael explain why biosolar 

roofs fit the current push for increased 

sustainability and improving energy 

performance within the built environment 

so well, highlighting why green roofs and 

solar PV can work so well together 

P 20 

With the Future Homes Standard looming 

large, Stuart explains why specifiers 

should be investing time and resources 

now to fully understand how renewable 

technology such as solar PV will be 

crucial in the new regulatory landscape 

P 26 

www.greenscapemag.co.uk • GREENSCAPE WINTER 2023 3

Contents 

NEWS 

06 Equality Diversity & Inclusion 

Following his participation in an 

industry-wide Equality, Diversity and 

Inclusion (ED&I) event at RHS Wisley, 

Chris Bridgman, Vice Chair of GRO and 

signatory of the ED&I Charter, says “we 

must not be intimidated by ED&I” 

08 Award boost The UK Roofing 

Awards has added a new Solar PV 

category alongside the already hotly 

contested Green Roofs category for 

the 2024 awards event, highlighting 

the increasingly important role of roofs 

in the transition to net zero 

GREEN ROOFS 

14 Pollinator Power Julian Thurbin 

says it’s easy to see why ensuring 

pollinators such as bees thrive is 

so important, and looks at the role 

of green roofs in ensuring they can 

flourish... 

20 Biosolar benefits Luke Rootham 

and Michael Anaxagorou discuss 

the whys, hows and overall benefits 

of biosolar roofs when it comes to 

meeting sustainability goals and 

improving the energy performance 

of buildings 

4 GREENSCAPE WINTER 2023 • www.greenscapemag.co.uk

GREENSCAPE 

SOLAR PV 

26 Solar PV and FHS Despite 

the launch of the Future Homes 

Standard still being two years away, 

Stuart Nicholson explains why 

specifiers should be investing time 

now and getting fully up to speed 

with technologies such as solar PV 

28 Storage solutions Richard 

Williams explains how Battery 

energy storage systems (BESS) are 

transforming the PV sector and 

opening up greater opportunities 

for commercial organisations 

REGULARS 

12 Academic Corner Dr Tom Young 

focuses on entomology and the 

impact of green roofs on insect 

habitats, and in his latest column 

taps into the knowledge of Dr 

Konstantinos Tsiolis of Polinating 

London Together 

18 BNG Explainer In the first of a 

series of articles, Richard Tomlinson 

looks at the government’s focus 

on Biodiversity net gain (BNG), 

explaining what this actually means 

for new build projects and how it will 

be implemented 


News 

GREENSCAPE 

L-r: Richard Cox, CEO of Effective 

Energy; Richard Williams, MD of Aztec 

Solar Energy; Chris Cowling, Commercial 

Director of Aztec Solar Energy. 

AZTEC SOLAR SET FOR 

FURTHER GROWTH 

Effective Energy Group Ltd has 

invested in Aztec Solar Energy Ltd, 

specialists in solar technology in 

commercial and industrial sectors. 

Aztec Solar is now the UK specialist 

solar photovoltaic and battery 

energy storage systems advisor and 

installer for commercial and industrial 

installations to the group, and says 

this will accelerate its growth plans in 

commercial PV installations across 

the UK. This takes the business on 

to its next phase of expansion, since 

the company was formed in 2011 

by Richard Williams, Aztec Solar’s 

Managing Director. According to 

Richard, Aztec Solar’s turnover is set 

to double during the next 12 months: 

“As engineering and energy services 

experts, we’re experiencing an 

increasing demand from medium-sized 

through to high-capacity energy level 

organisations to find the most effective 

combination of energy solutions. 

“We are now in a stronger position 

to meet those demands and their 

CO 2 emission targets, assisting them 

to reduce costs without affecting 

productivity. We’ve a strong team in 

place to capitalise on the reputation 

we’ve already established, and now 

as the commercial solar arm of 

Effective Energy this will open further 

national opportunities and provide us 

with broader corporate resource for 

growth.” www.aztecsolarenergy.co.uk 

JUST HOW DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE IS THE HORTICULTURE AND 

LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY? 

GRO Vice Chair, Chris 

Bridgman recently attended 

RHS Wisley for an industrywide 

Equality, Diversity and 

Inclusion (ED&I) event. 

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscaping 

& Garden Media professions 

EQUALITY, 

DIVERSITY 

& INCLUSION 

CHARTER 

In 2022, Chris signed the 

ED&I Charter on behalf 

of GRO, the Green Roof 

Organisation, with a 

commitment to breaking 

down barriers in the 

industry, increasing access 

and progression for all, and to work openly 

and respectfully with other chartered 

members. 

The Charter includes: 

• Committing to create an inclusive culture 

and measure how we engage and improve 

representation. 

• Supporting the development of the 

industry from an Equality, Diversity, and 

Inclusion perspective – regardless of area 

of specialism, through the sharing of work 

and good practice. 

• Recognising and monitoring Equality, 

Diversity, and Inclusion across the 

industry, using a set format to benchmark 

performance. 

• Providing access to resources for 

educating and upskilling colleagues and 

members on diversity and inclusion. 

• Promoting the industry as a fully inclusive 

We commit to create an inclusive culture and measure how we 

engage and improve representation. 

Support the development of our industry from an Equality, Diversity, 

and Inclusion perspective - regardless of area of specialism, through 

the sharing of work and good practice. 

Recognise and monitor Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion across the 

industry, using a set format to benchmark performance. 

Provide access to resources for educating and upskilling colleagues 

and members on diversity and inclusion. 

Promote the Industry as a fully inclusive and accessible environment 

with opportunities for lifelong rewarding careers. 

Signatories to this Charter confirm their commitment to progress the breaking down of barriers in the industry 

and increasing access and progression for all. To work openly and respectfully with other chartered members. 

and accessible environment 

with opportunities for 

lifelong rewarding careers. 

Chris explained: “We have 

the ability to be wholly 

diverse and inclusive as we 

encourage new entrants to 

this growing industry. We 

must not be intimidated by 

ED&I, and with the toolkits 

and support that will come 

from this movement it will 

ultimately strengthen the workforce as 

a whole, create resilience and benefit 

employees, employers and the wider 

industry. 

“An important step is to gain a baseline 

understanding of how diverse and inclusive 

the current Horticulture and Landscape 

Industry is. A short survey has been 

produced to be shared and completed 

by anybody working in the sector. The 

information provided in the survey will be 

anonymised and the results shared across 

the industry.” 

Chris is urging people to complete the 

survey and share with your contacts. 

Take part in the quick survey at: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/ 

e/1FAIpQLSd8EuLLk3UNJliLoJicM5Ac_ 

ifGyzAh8C_HaHuu0QE-8LnTqw/viewform 


SHAPING 

SUSTAINABLE 

SKYLINES 

with 

01202 785 200 info@icbprojects.co.uk icbprojects.co.uk

News 

BOUGHTON SHORTLISTED & 

SPONSOR FOR AWARDS 

February 2nd 2024 is set to be a 

busy day for the team at Boughton 

– a leading UK natural growing 

media supplier – as they attend the 

2024 Society of Garden Designers 

(SGD) Awards as both sponsors and 

finalists. 

SOLAR PV CATEGORY ADDED TO UK ROOFING AWARDS AS 

ENTRIES OPEN FOR 2024 AWARDS EVENT 

NFRC (National Federation of Roofing 

Contractors) has announced entries 

are now open and tickets are available 

to purchase for the UK Roofing 

Awards 2024, which returns to the 

Intercontinental London – the O2, on 

Friday 10th May 2024. 

This finalist status marks an exciting 

era for both Boughton and the SGD 

awards, with the award in question – 

Sustainable Product of the Year – an 

entirely new category introduced 

exclusively for the 2024 awards. 

Open to affiliated business partners 

only, the award looks to celebrate 

“known or innovative products 

manufactured with renewable 

or largely recycled or reused 

materials, which minimise or reverse 

detrimental environmental impact 

during production, and consider the 

product’s entire life cycle including 

how it is recycled / repurposed at the 

end of its life.” 

Boughton’s BLS Plus Topsoil has been 

submitted and has clearly resonated 

with the judging panel. 

Simon Hedley, Managing Director 

at Boughton, said: “It’s a pleasure 

to confirm our finalist status at the 

forthcoming SGD awards. To be 

shortlisted during the category’s 

inaugural year is an honour, but 

more importantly, the recognition of 

our efforts to bring to market soils 

that never deviate from our firm 

sustainability ethos is heartening to 

say the least.” 

Having previously sponsored the 

‘Fresh Designer Landscapes & 

Gardens’ category at the 2022 edition 

of the SGD awards, the Boughton 

team will return once again to show 

its support with the sponsorship of 

the UK Commercial or Community 

Landscapes & Gardens award. 

www.boughton.co.uk 

Entries are invited for the 2024 Awards 

in the following project categories, which 

includes the new Solar PV category and 

the always hotly contested Green Roofs 

category: 

• Bituminous Hot Applied Liquid 

Waterproofing 

• Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing 

• Fully Supported Metal 

• Green Roofs 

• Heritage Roofing 

• Leadwork 

• Multi-discipline Project (over £250k) 

• Rainscreen Facades 

• Reinforced Bitumen Membranes 

• Roof Slating 

• Roof Tiling 

• Sheeting & Cladding 

• Single Ply Roofing 

• Small Scale Project (Under £25k) 

• Solar PV – New category for 2024! 

In addition to these awards, one project 

chosen from the winners in each of the 

categories will win the Roof of the Year 

Award. The whole industry will also get 

the chance to vote for their winner from 

the shortlisted projects online in the 

Industry Choice Award. 

Individuals will also be recognised for 

their contributions to the industry via 

two additional categories: 

• Young Roofer of the Year 

• Health and Safety Individual of the 

Above: LRL Roofing Solutions and Bauder 

won the Green Roof award at the UK 

Roofing Awards 2023 for the stunning 

project at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. 

Year Award. 

Firms can enter now via the dedicated 

Awards platform. 

As well as roofing and cladding 

contractors, NFRC encourages 

manufacturers, architects and others in 

the supply chain to enter projects. 

James Talman, NFRC CEO, said: “We 

are delighted to announce that the UK 

Roofing Awards will return for 2024, on 

Friday 10th May. 

“In addition to the well-established 

award categories, we are pleased to 

announce the launch of our new Solar 

PV classification, which in addition to 

the existing Green Roofing category will 

see firms recognised for innovative and 

well-executed use of green technologies. 

This change reflects the fact that roofs 

play a crucial part of the UK’s transition 

to net zero. 

“As ever, the Awards is a brilliant 

opportunity for hardworking teams 

to have their efforts recognised. We 

look forward to welcoming colleagues 

from across the industry to the 

Intercontinental London – The O2, to 

reunite with old friends, network, and 

above all celebrate excellence in roofing 

and cladding.” 

Find out more: https://nfrc. 

awardsplatform.com/ 


GREENSCAPE 

30 UNDER 30 AWARD WINNER 

Green-tech is celebrating after 

their key account manager has 

been named as a winner of the Pro 

Landscaper ‘30 under 30’ - The Next 

Generation Initiative. 

29-year-old George Barton has been 

selected as a winner in the industry 

awards that look to discover 30 of 

the most impressive young people 

within the arboriculture, garden design, 

horticultural, and landscaping sectors. 

George started at Green-tech in 

2018 in the warehouse where he 

learnt about the business from the 

ground-up. Demonstrating a hunger 

to progress and a keen interest in 

sales, George moved into the sales 

department where he flourished, 

and his career has gone from 

strength to strength. He has secured 

several promotions and is today one 

of only five key Account managers 

at Green-tech. He is also an 

ambassador for BALI GoLandscape, 

and visits schools and colleges to 

inspire the next generation into the 

industry. 

George explained: “I am absolutely 

delighted to be a winner of the Pro 

Landscaper’s 30 Under 30. I have 

worked my way up in Green-tech 

to the position I am in today and 

I’m so proud that my achievements 

have been recognised outside of 

my organisation. This is a fantastic 

industry to work in and these awards 

reflect the high standards that we 

work to.” 

www.green-tech.co.uk 

George Barton (l) with Kris Nellist, 

Green-Tech MD 

AXTER PARTNERS WITH LOCAL CHARITY TO HELP POWER 

HOMELESS PODS 

Axter Ltd has partnered with local 

homelessness charity, Emmaus Suffolk, 

to make their two new modular housing 

units for vulnerable people energy billfree, 

through the installation of solar 

photovoltaic (PV) panels. 

The new Emmaus pods were opened on 

10th October by campaigner Sir Terry 

Waite, a patron of the charity, at an 

event marking World Homelessness Day. 

Axter says it has been supporting 

Emmaus Suffolk, a charity that works 

with homeless and vulnerable people 

in the county, over the last year. 

Learning about Emmaus’s ambition to 

create two pods, funded by Hopestead, 

to offer accommodation behind its 

Community Hub in Ipswich, the Axter 

team recognised that they could help 

support the charity by transforming the 

modular building’s flat roofs to generate 

electrical energy via a photovoltaic 

array, producing sustainable electrical 

energy to power the pods. The initial 

specification called for 0.7 kilowatts 

per roof, but Axter exceeded this by 

installing nine panels across the two 

roofs. The system now generates 3.2 

kilowatts, which is over double the 

planning requirements. Extra power 

generated will lower the cost of 

electricity bills and the carbon footprint 

for this fantastic charity, including an 

adjacent building used for offices and 

the community café. 

Axter donated nine Solar PV units, and 

provided design and specification, whilst 

covering the cost of installation by 

Tamaris Roofing. The modular building 

units were funded by the East of England 

homelessness charity, Hopestead. 

The Axter team also sponsors Emmaus 

Suffolk’s One Pot Wonder scheme, which 

aims to tackle food poverty by providing 

low-cost hot meals from the charity’s 

Royal Oak Community Café. 

Claire Staddon, CEO at Emmaus Suffolk, 

said: “We had no idea the kind of scale 

that this project would involve, just 

buying two modular units premade 

seemed like a simple option, but there’s a 

huge amount of additional work getting 

the utilities set up. 

“It was fantastic that Axter offered us 

the opportunity to install solar panels 

so they can be essentially net zero. We 

can now house two vulnerable house 

individuals in a real home setting, each 

with the dignity of their own front door. 

“Local businesses that care about the 

community, like Axter, make such a 

difference. I can only applaud them and 

thank them for their ongoing support.” 

Charlotte Saunders, Axter’s Head of 

Marketing & Communications and 

Climate & Community Manager, 

commented: “Having been a Suffolkbased 

business for 30 years, we are part 

of the community and partnership with 

Emmaus is one way we’re working to 

make life better for people across the 

county. 

“Mental health issues and homelessness 

are key concerns in the construction 

industry, yet another reason this project 

meant so much to the team. This work 

is part of our Climate and Community 

initiative, which puts our passion for the 

environment and the local community 

into action. Working with Emmaus, and 

our five other charity partners, we not 

only financially support these charities, 

but also lend our specific expertise 

where we can – as we have in this 

project.” www.axter.co.uk 


News 

GREENSCAPE 

REFLECTIONS ON 2023 & WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2024? BY MICHAEL ANAXAGOROU, SALES DIRECTOR, AXTER 

“This year has revealed the pivotal role 

of technology in shaping the future of 

construction. Its increased utilisation has 

significantly enhanced survey efficiency 

and opened new avenues in specification. 

Notably, the impact is substantial in the 

realm of sustainability, with a heightened 

focus on net-zero goals and escalating 

energy costs prompting a drive toward 

enhancing the energy and thermal 

efficiency of buildings. This surge in interest 

has also led to increased exploration of 

energy generation possibilities. 

“In the domain of Climate Map Technology, 

field-based and desktop tools are 

revolutionising the assessment of the 

impact of well-designed roofs, enabling 

digital modelling of existing structures 

against proposed alterations. Moreover, 

these tools facilitate showcasing the assets’ 

value beyond compliance, highlighting the 

potential for carbon reduction, long-term 

savings, and a more sustainable future. 

“The year 2023 has been pivotal in terms 

of industry regulations, with the trajectory 

continuing into 2024. Notably, the Building 

Safety Act introduced the concept of ‘duty 

holders’, including clients, designers 

and contractors, emphasizing 

the necessity for assessing 

competence and declining work 

that exceeds one’s skills, knowledge, 

or experience. These regulations serve 

as a starting point for substantial change, 

with further developments expected, 

including updated rules on product 

standards. 

“As a manufacturer and roofing design 

company, we advocate for voluntary 

schemes like the Code for Construction 

Product Information (CCPI) and Building a 

Safer Future. CCPI, emphasising building 

safety and higher standards in presenting 

construction product information, has 

validated our Wilotekt-Plus system as the 

first CCPI-verified hot melt system in the 

industry. 

“Looking ahead to the next year, 

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements 

and Sustainable Urban Drainage (SuDs) 

will transition to mandatory status 

for most new constructions. This shift 

highlights the crucial role of design, 

construction methods, and materials in 

Left: Michael Anaxagorou. Sales 

Director at Axter. 

project sustainability. There’s an 

emerging expectation not only to 

meet regulatory standards but also 

to exceed them. 

“In 2024, upskilling the labour force 

emerges as a primary trend. Addressing 

the ongoing shortages, particularly 

in roofing, entails enhancing digital 

proficiency and driving modernisation 

through workforce development for both 

existing and incoming personnel. 

“Amidst the influx of information, investing 

in Continuous Professional Development 

(CPD) for teams becomes paramount. This 

investment ensures familiarity with new 

methodologies and approaches, thereby 

maintaining high standards and quality 

of work. Moreover, advancing digital skills 

across the industry is imperative to fully 

harness the potential of technologies like 

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 

collaborative online platforms for building 

specification and design.” www.axter.co.uk 

More from Michael and Axter on page 20 

MCS DATA DASHBOARD ENTERS PHASE TWO FOLLOWING USER FEED-BACK 

One year on from the launch of the 

Data Dashboard, MCS (Microgeneration 

Certification Scheme), the standards 

organisation for small-scale domestic 

renewable energy and heating across the 

UK, is further developing the platform 

based on feedback from users. 

The MCS Installations Database (MID) 

holds the details of every MCS certified, 

small-scale renewable energy installation 

in the UK since 2008, making it the most 

comprehensive reference for small-scale, 

renewable energy installations in the UK. 

Since its launch in November 2022, the 

interactive Data Dashboard has drawn on 

data from the MID to provide a detailed 

analysis of the volume of domestic 

renewable energy installations in the UK 

freely to the public. 

There are now almost 3,500 users 

registered for the MCS Data Dashboard, 

predominately researchers, consumers, 

and installers. Users access the online 

platform to monitor the current uptake 

of small-scale renewables, highlighting 

current and past trends, and identifying 

opportunities for further sector growth. 

Data is updated every 24 hours, 

instantaneously providing the most 

accurate picture of home-grown energy 

available across the industry. 

Following on from a survey of this user 

base, MCS has developed a series of 

updates planned for the launch of the 

Data Dashboard Phase 2, which is set to 

be released in early 2024. These updates 

will include improvements to the user 

experience and aesthetics of the platform, 

as well as an expansion of the data provided 

and how it can be filtered. 

In Phase 2, users will be able to view the 

changes to the overall base of MCS certified 

contractors over time since 2008; they 

will also be able to view uptake of battery 

storage technologies, which will be added to 

the scope of the Data Dashboard. 

Adam Padilla, MCS Scheme Analyst, said: 

“The MCS Data Dashboard remains the 

most comprehensive repository of data 

on small-scale renewables in the UK and 

we are proud to share our data with the 

public completely free of charge. Phase 2 

is the first of a planned series of iterative 

updates to make the Data Dashboard as 

useful and user friendly as possible for the 

thousands of people using it on a regular 

basis. “ 

https://datadashboard.mcscertified.com 


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ROOFING TILES

ACADEMIC CORNER 

INSECTS: MAKING A BUZZ 

ABOUT GREEN ROOFS 

In his latest Academic Corner column, Dr Tom Young of TEP 

focuses on entomology and the impact of green roofs on insect 

habitats. To help find out more about the role of entomologists 

and what can be done to improve green roofs as habitats for 

insects, he taps into the knowledge of expert Dr Konstantinos 

Tsiolis of Pollinating London Together… 

Above: Dr Tom Young, article author. 

Green roofs can provide fantastic habitat for insects 

in urban areas. With this in mind, GRO has recently 

helped to publish a children’s book on this topic in 

collaboration with Tales from Mother Earth, which is available 

to buy at https://talesfrommotherearth.co.uk/product/ 

journey-to-the-green-roof/. However, this is an area I know 

very little about, and so to explore this topic further I thought 

I would enlist the help of Dr Konstantinos Tsiolis, who is a very 

knowledgeable pollinator ecologist and entomologist, who works 

for Pollinating London Together. 

The academic literature on the topic of insects and green roofs 

is still relatively sparse, but has improved in recent years as the 

role of green infrastructure in urban ecology becomes better 

known. 

In general, the consensus is that green roofs, compared to 

normal roofs, attract significantly more biodiversity to cities, 

which includes birds, insects and other invertebrates (Wooster et 

al. 2022). This can have knock-on effects across the food chain. 

For example, a study on a large green roof in New York found 

that bat feeding activity on the roof was strongly correlated with 

the presence of a certain type of moth. This moth was attracted 

to the green roof due to the vegetation and habitat provided, 

which in turn attracted the bats, providing them with a valuable 

food source (Partridge et al. 2020). 

However, all green roofs are not the same, and changes in 

vegetation type, vegetation coverage, substrate type and 

additional microhabitat features all combine to determine how 

effective green roofs can be for insects (MacIvor & Ksiazek 

2015). In addition, the size of the green roof and type / quality 

of surrounding habitats all play a part (Ksiazek-Mikenas et al. 

2018), and native plants have been shown to increase insect 

abundance on green roofs (Fenoglio et al. 2023). 

To better understand how people become entomologists and 

what can be done to improve green roofs as insect habitats, I 

asked Dr Konstantinos Tsiolis a few questions about his career 

and work with Pollinating London Together (PLT). 

Tom Young (TY): What is your 

background? 

Konstantinos Tsiolis (KT): I come 

from a small rural community in Cyprus 

where the region’s primary income 

was traditionally from crops such as 

hazelnuts, almonds, vines, cherries and 

apples. I have grown up working on our 

family farm, helping cultivate crops and 

selling our produce at various markets. 

The quality of our family life was always 

dependent on the yield of our farm, 

and I have experienced first-hand 

the frustration and negative financial 

impacts of low yields at times. My 

parents have only completed primary 

education but are rich in valuable 

empirical farming skills and knowledge. 

However, I realised that the lack of 

access to scientific knowledge was a 

limiting factor to sustainably successful 

farming practices. Having realised 

the value of science and education, I 

decided to enrol in higher education 

in the UK to gain knowledge and skills 

which I could use to contribute towards 

my passion for ecology and agriculture. 

One of the areas that immensely 

fascinated me during my undergraduate 

studies was pollination ecology. I was 

amazed that approximately 70% of 

270 bee species in the UK are groundnesters 

(Else & Edwards 2018), and 

several are considered good crop 

pollinators. For instance, solitary 

ground-nesting bee species are the 

UK’s most economically important 

pollinators of apple crops (Garratt et 

al. 2016). Nevertheless, little is known 

about where they nest in agricultural 

landscapes and their specific nesting 

habitat preferences. The eagerness to 

study them and discover more about 

their biology led me to study their 

nesting preferences in commercial fruit 

orchards for my Master’s degree and 

PhD. Since the spring of 2022, I have 

been working for Pollinating London 

Together (PLT), assessing the pollinator 

and pollinator-friendly planting diversity 

in the City of London and adjacent 

areas, and spreading awareness of 

pollinator diversity and importance. 

TY: What is an entomologist? 

KT: Entomologists study insects, 

either amateur, as a career or both. 

Over half of the described two million 

living species are insects and have 


Above: Images courtesy of Dr KonstantinosTsiolis. Contact Konstantinos +44 (0)75977 43175 / website: pollinatinglondontogether.com 

been around for over 350 million 

years. Insects play a crucial economic, 

ecological, and public health role. Some 

insects are vectors of many severe 

plant, human and animal diseases. 

In agriculture, they can cause many 

problems as pests, but they can also 

be very beneficial as decomposers, 

pollinators, and natural predators. 

Understanding the biology and ecology 

of insects enables entomologists to 

control harmful insects and promote 

beneficial ones. 

TY: What is Pollinating London 

Together? 

KT: Pollinating London Together’s 

mission is to enhance green spaces in 

central London so that natural pollinators 

can thrive and their habitats can be 

enjoyed by everyone, starting in the 

City of London. The vision is to create a 

template for change and action through 

leadership that can be implemented in 

urban environments across the UK. 

PLT’s objectives are: 

• To redress the decline in pollinators 

in urban environments by promoting 

action to increase pollinator-friendly 

planting and habitats, starting in the City 

of London and its immediate environs. 

• To raise awareness of the human benefits 

of pollinators and pollinator-friendly 

planting across the wider population of 

residents, workers, and organisations, 

starting in the City of London. 

• To inform and encourage companies, 

organisations, and individuals to make 

meaningful decisions to make this happen. 

To achieve its objectives, PLT engages in 

a variety of activities to raise awareness, 

educate, and influence action that 

will help pollinators and their habitats 

thrive. Specific activities include: 

• Creating new networks for positive 

action, change, and influence; 

• Running a green space habitat review 

programme for outdoor spaces in the 

City of London; 

• Providing a resource library with 

information sheets and videos to help 

others learn about pollinators and take 

positive action; 

• Creating an event series to engage 

members on the importance, needs, 

and joy of pollinators and their role in 

nature and human life. 

TY: How do you become an 

entomologist? 

KT: Someone interested in becoming 

an entomologist in the UK can take 

the academic route to study zoology, 

biology or other relevant degrees, 

and then do a Master’s or PhD in 

entomology. 

An alternative route can be to join 

an entomological society and attend 

courses on the group of insects 

that you’re interested in, and attend 

workshops and surveys to learn from 

more experienced entomologists. 

Regardless of which route one decides 

to take, the level of expertise will 

depend heavily on how much time is 

dedicated to studying them. 

TY: Why are green roofs good for 

insects? 

KT: In very built-up urban cities such 

as the City of London, there are limited 

green spaces at ground level, and 

many of them have restricted sunlight 

exposure, which is essential for most 

flowering plants and insects. Green 

roofs are often exposed to the sun for 

most of the day, and they can provide 

an excellent habitat for pollinators and 

other beneficial insects. They can also 

help establish biodiversity corridors 

and enable insect movement between 

green spaces. 

TY: How do you improve green roofs 

for insects/pollinators? 

KT: Bees and other pollinators’ survival 

depends heavily on food and nesting 

resources. Many of them can have 

short flight ranges, between 150-600 

metres (Gathmann & Tscharntke 

2002); hence, nesting habitat and food 

resources must be in close proximity. 

Green roofs can be improved for insects 

/ pollinators by providing diverse 

pollinator-friendly plants from March 

to October, and nesting resources such 

as bee / bug hotels for cavity nesters 

and mounds of sandy loam for ground 

nesters. 

Contact 

Dr Tom Young 

Tel: 0207 5899 400 

Email: tomyoung@tep.uk.com 

Tweet: @DrGreenRoof 


GREEN ROOFS 

HARNESSING THE 

POWER OF POLLINATORS 

By Julian Thurbin, Director, Wallbarn. 

Bees and their pollinator pals are 

vital to our health and economy, 

but they are under increasing 

pressure from loss of habitat, 

pesticides, climate change and invasive 

species, such as Asian hornets, which 

can wipe out colonies in days. 

Research carried out in 2019 valued the 

work of bees at around £670 million in 

terms of the UK crops they pollinate 

each year. The cost of employing 

people to do this was estimated at £1.8 

billion four years ago, demonstrating 

the immense value that pollinators 

bring to the economy. 

Studies have also shown that crops 

requiring pollination are five times 

more valuable than those that 

don’t – and having a bee colony 

close to crops can dramatically 

increase their yield. With one 

in every three mouthfuls of 

our food said to depend upon 

pollinators such as bees, it’s easy 

to see why ensuring they thrive is so 

important. 

Landmark 

Many of these topics were discussed 

at a recent Bee Fayre in Wootton St 

Lawrence, Hampshire, 

to mark the 400th 

anniversary of the 

publication of The 

Feminine Monarchie, 

a study of the lives of 

bees by The Rev. Charles 

Butler, considered by 

many to be the father of 

English beekeeping. The 

Rev Butler was, from 

1660 until his death in 

Left: Julian Thurbin. Above: Having a bee colony next to crops can dramatically 

increase their yield. Below: The Feminine Monarchie by The Rev. Charles Butler. 

1647, vicar of Wootton St 

Lawrence parish church, 

where he is buried. The fayre 

marked the publication of his 

landmark work which identified that 

hives were female – and not male – led. 

Coincidentally, Wootton St Lawrence 

is also home to Wallbarn’s green roof 

nursery beds. It’s here, 

in conjunction with 

Sedum Growers, that 

we plant, nurture and 

harvest the sedum 

and wildflowers for 

our award-winning 

modular M-Tray green 

roof cassettes. Less of a 

coincidence is that our 

nursery has beehives 

on site; the sedum and 

native British wildflowers we grow to 

maturity before dispatching to site as 

part of the M-Tray system provide a 

perfect and complete food source for 

bees, both those cultivated for honey 

and the wild bee population in the area. 

David Holloway, joint Managing Director 

of Sedum Growers, was instrumental 

in organising the Bee Fayre. He said: 

“The event was a celebration to tell the 

whole bee story to our communities, 

providing education and a practical 

understanding of the importance of 

bees and pollinators in a sustainable 

biodiverse environment.” 

Wallbarn has long been a cheerleader 

for bees and it’s becoming more 

Continued on page 16 >>> 


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GREEN ROOFS 

>>> Continued from page 14 

Above: “Each 500mm x 500mm modular M-Tray sedum tray is packed with hardy plants carefully chosen to deliver the best coverage, year-round 

interest, and an ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet for bees and insects through the nectar in the flowers.” 

important than ever to us to help 

create sustainable environments for 

pollinators, as their habitats come 

under increasing pressure. When 

you take into account that wildflower 

meadows have declined by around 98% 

in almost 100 years and the destruction 

of habitats in pursuit of farming and 

house-building have taken a huge toll 

on natural habitats, no green roof is too 

small or too big. 

Sedum’s edge 

We firmly believe that all green roofs – 

wildflower and sedum – are brilliant at 

supporting wildlife, from bees to bats, 

butterflies to birds and a host of spiders 

and other invertebrates, but sedum 

definitely has the edge when it comes 

to providing a highly nourishing food 

source. 

Each 500mm x 500mm modular 

M-Tray sedum tray is packed with 

hardy plants carefully chosen to deliver 

the best coverage, year-round interest, 

and an ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet for 

bees and insects through the nectar 

in the flowers. Plants include sedum 

species album, porchellum and caesars 

gold. Wildflowers include forget-menots, 

daisies, oregano, sea campion 

and thrift. Native – and wild origin – 

flowering species ensure maximum 

diversity. 

But increasing the number of green 

roofs in urban areas should not 

necessarily mean increasing the 

number of bee hives; a key point that 

often gets lost in the conversation is 

ensuring that bees have sufficient food 

to flourish. In cities, including London, 

food can be scarce for hive-cultivated 

honey bees, which are larger than 

wild bees and have pollen appetites to 

match. Hungry hive bees can crowd 

out wild bees, so the challenge in urban 

landscapes is to create more food 

through more nectar rich flowers for all 

bees. 

To understand why wild bees are 

important requires a dive into bee 

behaviour. Some plants – including 

blueberries, tomatoes, aubergines and 

kiwis – need ‘buzz pollination’ which 

honey bees can’t do. Bumblebees, which 

only produce tiny quantities of honey, 

can, vibrating their flight muscles to 

dislodge pollen. 

Bumblebees are also very good at 

their job. A 1993 study found that 

they could pollinate more flowers per 

bee than honey bees. A study in 2001 

reported that 250 female orchard 

mason bees – neither a honey bee 

nor a bumblebee – could pollinate an 

acre of apple trees. In comparison, 

their honey bee cousins required up 

to 40,000 busy bodies to achieve the 

same. 

So while we may fete the honey bee, it’s 

our wild bees that need protecting, and 

we therefore need to be putting beefriendly 

food sources back into towns 

and cities – and that’s where green 

roofs come in. 

Contact 

Wallbarn 

T: 020 8916 2222 

www.wallbarn.com 


Updated GRO Code 

We’ll bring your 

roof to life! 

GREENING 

ROOFTOPS 

ANY SIZE 

ANY SYSTEM 

ANYWHERE! 

www.gardensinthesky.co.uk 

GREENSCAPE 

In collaboration with the 

Green Roof Organisation. 

MAGAZINE 

If you supply green roofing products to 

the green roof market, Greenscape is the 

magazine for you! 

GREENSCAPE 

Ensuring Best Practice for Green Roof & Solar PV Projects 

MAGAZINE 

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Get your marketing message in front of over 

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For advertising opportunities contact 

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#WGRD2021: Get involved! 

News, views and projects 

In collaboration with the Green Roof Organisation 

01_GS0421 1 16/04/2021 17:07 

From the publishers of

IMPLEMENTING BNG 

A FOCUS ON 

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN 

By Richard Tomlinson, Chartered Landscape Architect 

and Associate Landscape Manager at The Environment 

Partnership (TEP) Ltd. 

What is Biodiversity Net Gain 

(BNG)? 

You may have come across the term 

in recent months as the government 

moves towards implementing a 

mandatory minimum 10% increase of 

biodiversity on all new developments 

by January 2024 – small scale 

developments and Nationally Significant 

Infrastructure Projects will follow later. 

But what does this actually mean and 

how is it implemented? 

Wildflowers on roof 

Image cedit: TEP 

Definition 

The standard definition from UK 

Government states that “Biodiversity 

net gain (BNG) is a way to contribute to 

the recovery of nature while developing 

land. It is making sure the habitat for 

wildlife is in a better state than it was 

before development”. 

The process, however, is like a lot of 

things, fairly simple to explain but 

rather more difficult to pull off. Of 

course with some developments it 

will be easier to achieve a net gain in 

biodiversity than on others. 

Understanding Biodiversity Baseline 

The first point of call is to understand 

the site’s biodiversity baseline value. 

This is achieved by completing a 

structured and formal assessment using 

a standard tool. Natural England, along 

with the Department for Environment, 

Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), developed 

and created the Biodiversity Metric 

(current version is 4.0). The metric 

tool takes a habitat-based approach 

to measure a site’s biodiversity value. 

First a detailed site appraisal, marking 

the condition of existing habitat against 

Below: Figure 1 – Baseline habitat and pre-intervention score. 

pre-determined condition assessment 

criteria (UKHab), which assigns a grade 

of poor, moderate or good condition. 

The site assessment information is then 

uploaded into the DEFRA Metric, which 

then further appraises the habitat’s 

strategic significance within the 

landscape, to arrive at a total habitat 

value for the site. These are scored as 

baseline biodiversity units, which is the 

currency of the metric. 

BNG proposals 

The proposed development is then 

overlaid on to the baseline survey, 

which reveals the potential impacts 

on the baseline habitat and identifies 

opportunities for enhancement of 

retained features. For example, a 

retained habitat in poor condition 

could be enhanced to moderate 

condition through specific management 

interventions. There are a number of 

guiding principles and best practice 

documents that provide a structured 

approach to developing a BNG 

strategy. British Standard 8683.2021 

sets the requirements for the BNG 

assessment process, and the Chartered 

Institute of Ecology and Environmental 

Management (CIEEM) has developed 

guiding principles for designing, 

implementing, maintaining and 

monitoring a site’s Biodiversity. 

The landscape and habitats that will 

be implemented post development 

are entered into the metric. They must 

demonstrate a minimum 10% net gain, 

along with satisfying predetermined 

18 GREENSCAPE WINTER2023 • www.greenscapemag.co.uk

trading rules to ensure lost habitats 

are replaced ‘like for like or like for 

better’. Following confirmation that 10% 

BNG is achievable, a detailed 30 year 

landscape and habitat management 

plan is produced. This states how the 

post development habitats will be 

enhanced, managed, and monitored; 

demonstrating the best possible chance 

of achieving the committed biodiversity 

units. 

What is the value of a Biodiversity 

unit? 

This would depend on what we mean by 

‘value’. BNG units are assigned a value 

weighting depending on the habitat’s 

significance. For example; if the habitat 

is a rare or nationally significant habitat 

it will score a greater metric value, and 

therefore will require a greater level of 

mitigation or compensation if proposed 

to be lost. Some habitats are considered 

so valuable that they cannot be 

measured using the standard format, 

these are classed under National 

Planning Policy as ‘irreplaceable 

habitats’ i.e. Ancient Woodland. That 

being said, if the development scheme 

does include loss of irreplaceable 

habitat, it could only be permitted 

under very limited circumstances and a 

bespoke compensation scheme will be 

required. 

A monetary value can also be assigned 

to each biodiversity unit (BU). These 

can be traded on the open market and 

is relevant if the development cannot 

achieve the minimum requirement 

of 10% BNG within the development 

red line boundary. There is no hard 

and fast rule for the financial value 

assigned to a BU, however, the industry 

in general is beginning to set the rates. 

For example; the typical cost for 1 BU 

of other neutral grassland in moderate 

condition is £30k. In addition to a 

developer being able to purchase BU’s 

on the open market, the government 

has released statutory units. These 

are more expensive to purchase and 

require a 2 for 1 ratio, meaning they are 

doubly expensive compared to the open 

nature market. Prices for Statutory 

BU’s range between £42k for low 

distinctiveness habitat, up to £650k for 

high distinctiveness habitats. 

The demand for off-site biodiversity 

units has established the creation 

of ‘habitat banks’. This is where 

landowners and/or developers set 

aside areas and undertake habitat 

enhancements for the purpose of 

bringing the generated biodiversity 

units to the market to trade, or to offset 

local development that cannot meet 

the required 10% BNG within the redline 

boundary. It’s important to note that 

a development should always seek to 

achieve the required biodiversity within 

its own redline. To further this the 

metric includes a spatial risk multiplier, 

reducing the value of habitats that 

are used as offsite compensation 

where these are located outside the 

Local Planning Authority, or National 

Character Area. 

Delivering and achieving BNG 

Mitigation hierarchy, establishment, 

adaptive management, and a robust 

monitoring strategy to identify potential 

issues in good time are all essential 

aspects of delivering BNG. Early 

collaboration between the landowner, 

design team, ecologists, landscape 

architects and land managers is 

essential in securing a positive outcome. 

Establishing the premise that the 

proposed development can deliver an 

increase in biodiversity is one thing, but 

this will need to be realised by skilled 

landscape operatives and contracts 

managers, who will be required to 

establish and maintain a wide variety 

of both broad and niche habitat types; 

whilst working closely with ecologists 

to monitor the success of the scheme 

over time. 

Some key points about BNG 

• BNG is about measuring the quantity 

and condition of habitats on site pre 

and post development 

• DEFRA metric uses Biodiversity units 

as its main currency / units for some 

habitats are valued higher than others 

• BNG ensures an increase in habitat 

units post development by either on site 

or off site provision 

• Developers should try to achieve BNG 

within the development red line boundary 

• Biodiversity units can be purchased, 

and statutory units are available from 

the government, but these typically cost 

more than units bought on the open 

nature market. 

References available on request. 

About the author: 

Pond and heathland habitat. 

Image credit: TEP 

Richard Tomlinson is a Chartered 

Landscape Architect and Associate 

Landscape Manager at The 

Environment Partnership (TEP) Ltd. 

TEP have produced a number of helpful 

guides for developers, landowners and 

management companies wanting to 

further understand BNG - follow @TEP_ 

Ltd on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Instagram 

and Facebook, and check for updates 

on our website www.tep.uk.com. 


BIOSOLAR ROOFS 

WHAT ARE THE REAL BENEFITS 

OF A BIOSOLAR ROOF? 

Luke Rootham AIoR, Technical Sales Manager, Axter and Michael Anaxagorou, Sales Director, 

Axter, and member of the board of the Green Roof Organisation, discuss the whys, hows and 

overall benefits of installing a biosolar roof... 

With sustainability and 

improving energy 

performance top of mind 

for many building owners, a biosolar 

roof is a practical solution that delivers 

on both fronts. Green roofs support 

compliance obligations in areas such as 

sustainable drainage and biodiversity 

net gain. Combining these benefits 

with a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, 

not only offers energy generation and 

lower bills, but research also shows[1] 

that the two together achieve better 

overall performance. 

Why a biosolar roof makes your PV 

panels work better 

Solar panels naturally heat up as 

they absorb and process sunlight. 

As they rise above about 

25 degrees Celsius, their 

efficiency decreases quickly. 

A green roof will cool the 

ambient temperature, bringing 

the efficiency of the panels 

back up. This is because water 

will evaporate from the vegetation 

and the damp earth in a process 

known as evapotranspiration, 

negating the urban heat island 

effect. 

A biosolar roof with arrays 

packed in too closely together 

won’t result in all of the 

benefits discussed, which is why 

GRO (the Green Roof Organisation) 

recommends[2] that where PV is 

mounted on a roof, the application and 

area of the green roof be maximised, 

and panels should be spaced a 

minimum of 750mm apart. 

Article authors Luke Rootham (left) and Michael Anaxagorou (below). 

Above: The Clapham Place biosolar roof project. 

Why the solar panels 

help the natural habitat 

on your roof 

The PV element of a biosolar 

system creates a diversity in 

the conditions across the 

roof. Some portions will 

be exposed, and others 

shaded. Water runoff 

from the panels will 

collect, creating a mix of 

damper and drier areas. 

This creates what is called a 

habitat mosaic, in which a wider 

variety of flora can flourish. 

The physical presence of the panels 

also creates wind-shielded areas in 

which many species will thrive. The 

overall result is an increase and a 

greater diversity in vegetation, which 

will attract other life, such as butterflies 

and birds, increasing the overall 

biodiversity as a result of the biosolar 

combination. 

Case study: Clapham Place 

Clapham Place is a major new 

development in South London, 

comprising 62 luxury flats, each with 

a private balcony or terrace and 

various other amenities. The project 

was completed by Regal London in 

2021, with Axter supplying the roofing 

solution, combining Wilotekt Plus hot 

melt waterproofing and a biodiverse 

living roof finish, installed by chosen 

partner TM Roofing. It is fantastic to 

see nature thriving in the heart of the 

metropolis as a result of this project. 



Proud to be 

a member of 

the GRO Code 

The sky’s the limit 

With a Green Roof System from Green-tech 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

1. Choice of soft and hard landscaping 

materials available, including: 

• Sedum Matting 

• gtSedum Cassettes 

• John Chambers Wildflower Matting 

• John Chambers Green Roof 

Wildflower Mix 

• Turf 

• Planters 

2. Intensive or Extensive Green-tree 

Roof Garden Substrate 

3. Drainage Board System, including: 

• Filter Membrane 

• Drainage Layer 

• Rootbarrier 

4. Waterproofing Layer 

5. Roof Structure 

This diagram of a typical green roof construction is for illustrative purposes only to demonstrate the range 

and types of products available for a green roof installation. 

Green-tech is a leading supplier 

of landscaping and green roof 

materials. Our products have been 

used in many high profile and 

award-winning green roof projects 

throughout the UK. 

We can provide everything you 

need for a successful installation, 

including technical advice, project 

specifications, CAD drawings and 

of course, a full range of Green 

Roof products. 

For more information, book a 

free Green Roof System CPD 

presentation, to be delivered 

online or in your office. 

T: 01423 332100 

www.green-tech.co.uk 

sales@green-tech.co.uk 

@greentechltd 

@greentechuk 

green-tech-ltd

BIOSOLAR ROOFS 


Case study: Parsloes Park, 

Dagenham 

Contractor Etec Group asked Axter to 

join the team completing a new public 

sports centre. For planning reasons, the 

development needed to meet stipulated 

minimums of area assigned as a green 

roof, and also PV output. 

The only way to achieve this was by 

utilising a biosolar system to ballast 

the array, in combination with Axter’s 

HydroSoil Sedum roof in areas where 

solar isn’t present, which allows a 

greater area to be covered in substrate 

and flora, while also delivering the 

required number of solar units. This 

ballast approach has the added benefit 

of anchoring the frame-mounted panels 

securely without any penetrations 

that could potentially compromise the 

underlying waterproofing. 

In this case, another supplier of 

photovoltaics was already on board, and 

we were able to integrate their solar units 

seamlessly into our biosolar system, as 

our frame mounts can be used either 

with our Crystalline PV panels or to hold 

any compatible PV that is chosen. 

Axter also supplied Cityflor 

waterproofing. PV cabling 

was safely routed in raised 

cable trays mounted on 

protective supports that 

maintain drainage, do not 

encourage the build-up 

of roof debris, and protect 

the waterproof membrane 

from damage. Roofing work by Axteraccredited 

installer Hambro Roofing was 

completed in October, with the centre 

expected to open soon. 

Maximising the potential of your roof 

With high energy prices, the benefits of 

installing solar units are clear, generating 

renewable energy that can be used to 

reduce bills and even sold back to the grid, 

while also improving the carbon footprint 

of the building. 

Above: Axter played a key role in the Clapham Place project. 

Left: 3D rendition of a biosolar roof system. 

Green and brown 

roofs also bring many 

benefits, adding beauty and 

biodiversity to your building, 

and with the right system, they also 

help manage drainage, by reducing and 

delaying stormwater runoff. Biodiversity 

net gain and sustainable drainage will 

both become mandatory for most 

new construction next year, and green 

roofs can contribute to meeting these 

requirements. 

Rooftops are an underutilised resource. 

A quarter[3] of all available space in our 

cities is in the form of our roofs – just think 

what could be achieved in terms of energy 

savings and increases in biodiversity if 

all suitable roofs were transformed into 

energy-producing natural habitats. 

References: 

[1] Array Comparative Research Project Final Report, 

2021. University of Technology Sydney 

[2] GRO Green Roof Code, 2021. The Green Roof 

Organisation (GRO) 

[3] Urban Surfaces and Heat Island Mitigation 

Potentials, 2007. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 

University of California 

Contact 

Axter 

www.axter.co.uk 

T: 01473 724056 


TAKE YOUR 

ROOFING BUSINESS 

TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH NFRC 

Technical advice, the industry quality stamp and fantastic 

profile-raising opportunities—for all roofing disciplines 

NFRC sets the highest 

standards for work across 

all roofing and cladding 

disciplines. But we’re much 

more than the industry’s quality 

assurance stamp. Membership 

of the trade association offers 

contractors and suppliers a 

range of powerful technical 

and commercial advantages. 

These include a profile on our website 

and directory listing, making your 

business easier for clients to find. Plus 

exclusive access to technical support and 

updates and advice on training provision. 

For suppliers, key benefits include 

numerous opportunities to engage with 

roofing contractors all over the country. 

And as the voice of the roofing sector, 

NFRC makes our members’ views 

heard where it matters most. We work 

with government, standards bodies 

and training providers to promote the 

interests of the industry, and of the 

construction market as a whole. 

2023 UK Roofing Awards 

Roof of the Year and 2023 IFD 

Pitched Roofing Award winner 

Stuart Wheeler Roofing Ltd 

3 | Working Towards Zero Avoidable Waste in the Roofing Sector 

NFRC trade 

membership benefits 

WHAT BEING AN NFRC MEMBER MEANS FOR YOU 

3 | Working Towards Zero Avoidable Waste in the Roofing Sector 

NFRC supplier 

membership benefits 

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO OUR ROOFING 

CONTRACTOR MEMBERS 

Call 020 7638 7663 or visit 

nfrc.co.uk/TCbenefits to request our 

benefits brochure—and find out more 

about what NFRC membership can do 

for your business. 

NFRC GROUP ALSO INCLUDES 

Competent Person Scheme: 

self-certify roof refurbishment 

to Building Regs 

Roofing operatives 

competency accreditation 

Promoting roofing as a 

skilled profession and 

offering career advice 

UK’s premier event for 

the roofing industry 

Supporting hardship, training/ 

upskilling, volunteering 

and environment 

Contractors with knowledge, 

skills and experience of 

heritage roofing systems

Roof Tube: Video Content 

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Roof Tube is the new platform for digital content from the leading players in your sector. 

Easily accessible on any device, Roof Tube is packed full of and regularly updated with 

practical, informative and entertaining video content, including how-to’s; project and 

product focuses; installation advice; training and webinars; plus interviews and opinions 

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Matt Downs puts the 

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challenges and opportunities in 

roofing and much more 

Watch CCF and Knauf Insulation’s 

roundtable discussion where they 

focus on all things Part L and 

the Future Homes Standard 

E 

TUBE 

PRACTICAL VIDEOS 

INSTALLATION ADVICE 

STEP BY STEP GUIDANCE 

THE ONLINE 

COMMUNITY FOR 

ROOFING AND 

CLADDING 

INDUSTRY 


We take a closer look at 

the ISOLINE LOW LINE 

watertight sub-roof system, 

with some key installation 

advice and top tips 

Take a closer 

look at architect 

Jon Moorhouse’s 

eco-bungalow 

refurbishment project 

which utilised the 

CUPACLAD system from 

CUPA PIZARRAS 

So head over to www.roof-tube.co.uk to view all these videos and so much more, or 

if you’d like to make the most of your digital content, contact Andy on 01892 730 890 to 

put your company and products in front of your potential customers. 

FIND US AT WWW.ROOF-TUBE.CO.UK 


SOLAR PV & FHS 

HOW TO STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE 

AS THE FUTURE HOMES STANDARD LOOMS 

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is still two years away, but the specification industry should 

be investing time and resources now to fully understand how renewable technologies such 

as solar PV will be critical to success in a new regulatory landscape. Stuart Nicholson, Roof 

Systems Director at Marley, explains how technical product, installation support and bespoke 

training modules can help specifiers fully prepare for smart roof specification. 

The construction sector is now 

implementing the practical 

design, specification and building 

steps demanded by a new era. 

The landmark amendments to Part L 

of the Building Regulations introduced 

in 2022 are now a reality, making 

it mandatory that new homes are 

designed to create sustainable, low 

carbon emitting dwellings in line with 

the national net zero target set for 

2050. 

But more critical change is on the 

horizon and the specification industry 

is expected to react accordingly. 

In just two years’ time, the government 

will launch the Future Homes Standard 

(FHS), which will set the specification 

template to drive the construction of 

energy efficient houses which must 

produce 80% less carbon emissions 

than those allowed under the current 

regulations. 

Renewable technologies will play 

a central part in how this will be 

achieved and will encompass many 

areas including thermal efficiency, 

the building fabric and the impact of 

roofscapes. And while the 

Part L changes are influencing current 

thinking and industry responses, the 

80% reduction demand that will be 

enshrined within the Future Homes 

Standard is a step-change for all 

stakeholders. 

And in a sure sign of the direction of 

travel, there are strong indications 

– as the FHS detail is finally agreed 

ahead of launch – that solar PV 

on the roof will be a mandatory 

renewable technology solution, 

offering a practical, affordable and 

high performing answer that the 

construction sector needs to embrace. 

Indeed, of the six FHS specifications 

under government consideration, five 

include solar PV technology. 

Solar is currently only installed on 

approximately 10% of all new builds 

in England and Wales. Yet estimates 

forecast that we will see around 

160,000 of the annual 200,000 new 

houses being constructed specified 

with a form of solar PV. This is in part 

due to the direct influence of the Part 

L amendments and in preparation for 

the seismic change the Future Homes 

Standard will bring. 

It is also important for specifiers to 

note that legacy issues associated 

with solar PV are no longer relevant, 

Contact 

whether for new builds or retrofit 

MCS 

projects. The cost of systems has 

www.mcscertified.com 


Above and left: Marley produces the Marley SolarTile system. The SolarTile roof panels replace standard roofing tiles or slates, giving owners the 

benefit of both a weatherproof roof covering and electricity generating solution. 

reduced dramatically over the past 

decade, whilst the ability to seamlessly 

install innovations such as Marley’s 

SolarTile, as part of a fully integrated 

roofing solution, offsets prevailing 

concerns about aesthetics. 

Marley sits at the forefront of the 

rooftop revolution taking place as the 

construction sector pivots to tackle a 

new regulatory landscape, and solar 

is a central component of a fully 

integrated roofing system; one that is 

tried, proven and underpinned by a 15- 

year warranty. 

For example, a bespoke online Marley 

CPD is already available to specifiers. It 

provides the background and technical 

information specifiers looking to 

increase their knowledge of solar PV 

require. 

Marley can also assist with informed 

roof product specification choices 

such as thermally efficient roof tiles, 

and areas such as after installation 

that make positive contributions to 

the overall energy efficiency of future 

homes. 

Get in the know with solar 

Marley is also actively engaged with 

housebuilders, local authorities 

and commercial enterprises, 

communicating the installation ease 

and performance benefits delivered by 

solar PV. 

Contact 

Marley 

www.marley.co.uk/solar-rooftiles/solartile 

Tel: 01283 722588 

Above: Stuart Nicholson, article author, is 

Roof Systems Director of Marley. 


SOLAR PV BATTERY STORAGE 

WHY BATTERY AFFORDABILITY IS 

TRANSFORMING SOLAR POPULARITY 

Commercial organisations have been slower to adopt battery storage than the domestic solar 

market, primarily due to storage capabilities and affordability. Yet that’s now changing. The 

challenges organisations once faced are easily remedied, according to Richard Williams – 

foremost an engineer - as well as founder and Managing Director of Aztec Solar Energy Ltd, 

the nationwide engineering-led consultancy and installer of bespoke solar photovoltaic (PV) 

and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Based at the University of Warwick, Richard has 

over 30 years in the energy services sector, and below shares his views on how battery storage 

is transforming a sector’s ability to turn to greener energy solutions. 

The economic attractiveness of 

solar energy has accelerated 

over the last five years, 

with more businesses adopting 

it to combat rising energy costs 

and deliver long-term energy 

security. Until now, the expense of 

installations, the difficulties of a 

retrofit, and lack of energy storage 

has been a barrier, but that’s now no 

longer the case. 

Installing rooftop solar power is one 

of the best investment opportunities 

available. 

Batteries have become much more 

competitively priced and rather than 

return the energy harvested 

to the grid – where you 

don’t always get the 

best price – they allow 

you to store that power 

and draw on it as needed 

and accommodate peaks in 

demand. Batteries can be force 

charged overnight at lower electricity 

rates, and the energy used in the day 

when electricity rates are higher. 

Even if you already have PV panels, 

battery storage can be added 

afterwards. Many are taking this 

option as the economy of scale with 

battery production is bringing the 

prices down and making them a cost- 

Left: Richard Williams is an 

engineer, as well as founder and 

Managing Director of Aztec 

Solar Energy. 

effective solution. 

Batteries have reduced both 

in cost and in size by at least 40% 

over the last 5 years. 

With battery installs growing, 

whether considering adding battery 

capacity to an existing PV system or 

planning a whole new PV and BESS, 

here are my 7 top tips and key points 

to help... 



It’s more 

LEARN MORE 

than a roof 

It’s a Marley Solar Roof System. 

You may just see a roof. But by installing the complete 

Marley Solar Roof System, you’ll see benefits of 

a solution designed to work together, whilst 

making the most of the growing demand 

for roof integrated solar panels. 

It’s more than a roof, it’s an 

opportunity for roofers. 

marley.co.uk

SOLAR PV BATTERY STORAGE 


1 

Audit & analysis. Establish 

your power usage and plan. 

Start with an open and honest 

evaluation of current and future 

energy needs. With accurate energy 

audits and predictive modelling 

the most appropriate solutions to 

improve energy generation and longterm 

security can be put in place. A 

professional will help with this and it’s 

the most important planning tool to 

get the install right. 

2 

How 

it works. Solar battery 

systems monitor usage and 

store the excess energy from 

your PV system, automatically 

diverting excess energy to your 

battery, rather than back to the 

grid. The battery system distributes 

the stored energy when it detects 

a demand greater than the PV 

system can provide, or when there 

is no PV generation, assuming there 

is sufficient energy stored in the 

battery. New battery systems allow 

you to prioritise this. 

3 

Lithium 

ion or lead acid. 

Lithium ion technology can be 

more expensive as an upfront 

investment, however the life span 

of lithium ion outweighs the cost of 

installing lead acid. These batteries 

are constantly developing and come 

in various sizes. 

4 

Battery 

management 

system. The Battery 

management system (BMS) 

provides oversight to the battery 

pack. It keeps the battery within the 

safety operation region in terms of 

voltage, current and temperature 

during the charge, the discharge and 

in certain cases at open circuit. 

5 

Battery 

size, storage & 

warranty. This should be 

matched to your electricity 

usage and size of the PV system. 

Warranties will be dependent on the 

manufacturer, typically 5-10 years. 

6 

Inverter 

size. The PV inverter 

converts the variable direct 

current (DC) output from a 

PV panel into alternating current 

(AC). Its size dictates the push-pull 

capabilities and size of the battery, 

and should be matched to the 

usage pattern of your building / site 

demand. 

7 

Safety. 

Follow the 

manufacturers’ instructions 

and both lithium ion and acid 

batteries are equally safe. Batteries 

do need to be taken care of and 

protected from damage, operating 

in extremely hot conditions and 

over charging. As long as you have 

a battery management system 

installed, there’s little to worry about. 

One of the frequent questions we get 

asked is, “When is the right time to 

consider solar energy?”. We’ve not 

had one customer say, “I went for it 

too soon”, more likely the response 

is “I wish I had made the change 

sooner”. So have confidence in your 

own green ambitions, stand by them 

and reap the benefits. The solutions 

are much more affordable than they 

have ever been and the experts will 

lead you through the process. 

Contact 

Aztec Solar Energy 

www.aztecsolarenergy.co.uk 

T: 0845 467 5058 


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