Summary Environment Policy Statement  

 

 

Willowbank is an established leader in the development of natural engineering solutions for water erosion, slope stabilisation and conservation situations and recognises its responsibility as an organisation towards its environmental impacts.

It is the intention of Willowbank to reduce the environmental impact of its operations through the implementation of the best environmental management practices with a continual review and improvement of environmental performance.

Willowbank endeavours to ensure its policies and business actions promote consideration of the environment, sustainable development and compliance with all relevant environmental legislation, regulations and standards.

Willowbanks commitment to care for the environment is achieved through the following goals:

• Protect natural habitats and preserve biological diversity
• Use and develop natural engineering techniques wherever possible
• Comply with all relevant environmental legislation and aim to follow best industrial practice
• Encourage and develop environmental awareness of staff, clients and suppliers through its procurement policies and practices
• Reduce its impact on the environment through the adoption of waste reduction and recycling practices, wherever practical
• Ensure that all the materials used are harvested, transported, used, stored and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner
• Set and regularly review objectives and targets relating to resource, process and waste
• Liaise with suppliers, contractors and customers to minimise environmental impacts

James Hector (Partner)





Environmental Policy Detail

Willowbank is the leader in the development of natural engineering solutions for water erosion for lakes ponds and rivers, slope stabilization and conservation situations providing an end-to-end service offering consultancy and design through to full project management, installation and maintenance.

Its aim is to use bio-engineering and soft landscaping to halt water erosion or stabilise banks leaving projects with a greater wealth of wildlife and a natural appearance, which blends into the surroundings. To achieve this aim Willowbank undertake the following with regard to:

Ecology and Habitats
Willowbank actively seek ways to reduce the ecological impact of its own activities and enhance the ecology and habitats of the areas in which they operate through the use of:
• Recycling and sustainable management
• Renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Sustainable natural products and services including timber and organic produce
• The pursuit of ecological sustainability

Material Supply
Willowbank supplies the most appropriate technique and materials for each individual project.
To ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly materials Willowbank operates and maintains over 100 acres of withy beds with various species of willow. These are cared for and harvested sustainably between November and March allowing for regeneration between harvests.
Supplementary material including timber, stone and soil is sourced from other reputable British and European suppliers with preference for local, natural, and sustainable sources where possible.

Material Storage
Willowbank stores all its own material in designated areas.
If required live, it should normally be replanted within about three weeks, depending on conditions.
Other materials are brought in on a job-by-job basis and stored in designated areas compliant with all relevant legislation.






Planning and Preparation
As part of planning and carrying out any works, Willowbank will complete a site-specific assessment and produce a method of works. This will include an investigation of past use of the site, survey of the siting and contents of all storage tanks and pipelines and precautions ensuring the complete protection of watercourses and groundwater against pollution to make sure that Willowbank or any subcontractors will not disturb contaminated land, site facilities or cause pollution incidents.
If land or watercourse is known to be contaminated, remediation works will be undertaken (where feasible and considered the best course of action) prior to Willowbank commencing work.
Action: If land contamination is found on site after work commencement all work is discontinued with immediate effect, the Local Authority and local Environment Agency officer will be consulted on its remediation or disposal before any work is continued.

Surface Water
Willowbank recognise that the majority of its work is in or around surface waters such as local streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. Waste, pollutants or other alien material is prevented from entering these systems through general duty-of-care and site specific prevention methods including oil containment booms and geo-textile silt traps.

Fuel, Chemicals and Oils
Willowbank recognise that as part of construction operations materials including fuels and oils are required and have the potential to cause serious pollution.
Willowbank will adhere to the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage)(England) Regulations 2001. All fuel, oil and chemical storage are sited on an impervious base within a bund and or secure compound out of surrounding flood plains.

Waste Management
Willowbank aims to ensure that all waste is stored and disposed of responsibly and recognises that correct handling, storage and disposal of waste material is vital if environmental harm and public complaint are to be avoided. Schemes, which aim to minimise waste and increase recycling, are not only beneficial to the environment but can also reduce costs. Willowbank recognise the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires waste to be carried or disposed by authorised individuals or businesses and are responsible for waste produced.







Waste Minimisation
Willowbank adopts a policy of waste minimisation and aims to reduce the volume of waste produced by re-using or recycling material on site, whenever possible.

Waste treatment and storage
All wastes will be stored safely and securely in suitable containers or storage areas. These will be in good condition, isolated from surface and ground waters and when relevant, correctly labelled. Where possible, waste will be segregated and source separated for recycling.

Waste disposal
Willowbank recognise that under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 there is a duty to ensure that the waste contractor who removes the waste is authorised by registration with the Environment Agency. Contractors will receive a description of the waste, including chemical analysis if required, so they can dispose or handle it in accordance with their own Duty of Care. Records will be kept of all wastes transferred.

Emergencies
In the event of a pollution incident or similar emergency all operations will cease and the appropriate authorities informed. The Environment Agency will be notified immediately using the emergency hotline number 0800 807060. Willowbank will ensure this number is widely distributed to staff.

Health and Safety
Willowbank will take measures to prevent major accidents by undertaking a risk assessment to understand and predict the circumstances that might lead to a major accident and the potential consequences of such an accident.
Willowbank will ensure that all staff and subcontractors are familiar with Willowbank’s Health and Safety Policy.


 

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