This 2-day online course, with associated examination, qualifies you to become an Approved Building with Nature Assessor, at both pre-and post-construction stages.

What is Building with Nature?

The UK is set to build hundreds of thousands of new homes and enhance thousands of existing communities in the coming years. There is a growing emphasis on the need for quality place-making. Building with Nature wants to ensure that these developments will also deliver for the natural world and healthy communities. 

Building with Nature provides a framework of quality standards, an assessment and accreditation service, and national awards recognising the design and delivery of high-quality green infrastructure.

Developers can apply to have their scheme assessed, and planners can apply to have their policy document accredited. Building with Nature offers accreditation at both pre- and post-construction stages, to highlight what 'good' and 'excellent' looks like at each stage of the green infrastructure life-cycle.  

We encourage applications from different types of development, and at various scales, however the current accreditation system is set up to assess schemes of 10 units or more. 

What is the role of the Assessor?

Design teams, developers and planners wishing to pursue assessment and accreditation, will need to work with an approved Building with Nature Assessor. 

The Assessor will work with those seeking Accreditation at the early stages of project development and design to implement the Building with Nature framework. At this stage, an applicant is eligible for Design accreditation. The Assessor will also help demonstrate compliance with the Building with Nature Standards as the scheme progresses to secure full accreditation at the 'Good' or 'Excellent' level, complete a post-construction check, and if successful, support the scheme in their application for a National Award.

Why get qualified?

As a qualified Building with Nature Assessors in the UK, you will:

1)    Develop new skills: Gain an understanding of the characteristics of high-quality green infrastructure are and how to apply them in your sector

2)    Add commercial value: Introduce an attractive additional service to your existing consultancy

3)    Increase competitive advantage: Only Approved Assessors can support Building with Nature Accreditation – you could be one of the first in your region!

What do I get as an Assessor?

1)    Support from Building with Nature - dedicated technical support from Building with Nature Auditor team for each assessment you carry out

2)    Membership of Approved Assessor network - day to day support from those carrying out a similar role, access to further training and CPD opportunities plus an annual face-to-face forum

3)  Support from Building with Nature with marketing and communications

Who should get qualified?

Assessor training is suitable for landscape architects, ecologists, engineers, public health practitioners, and other built environment professionals with full or chartered membership of one or more of the following bodies: Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Landscape Institute, Royal Town Planning Institute, Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.

Tell me more about the assessor training course...

This is a 3 day training with a two-day course followed by a further day desk based study, (to be completed within 1 month of the two-day course). All 3 days are required to become an approved Building with Nature Assessor.

The course combines presentations and interactive workshops. Your assessment includes a short group presentation during the course, and following the course you will also need to complete a trial assessment. On completion of the course and assessments you will be qualified and can act as an Approved Building with Nature Assessor.

For more information about the Building with Nature framework, to view case studies, or contact regarding Assessor training go to: https://www.buildingwithnature.org.uk/