Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)

Purpose of Construction Environmental Management Plans

Environmental risks are common on development sites, and due to that, developers may be asked to prove that their planning projects are considerate of such risks and manage them correctly. In the case of schemes near residential areas, sensitive habitats, watercourses and locations that are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations, the local planning authorities are likely to be concerned with protecting nature.

Evidence of an agreed strategy for environmental protection could even be outlined as a fundamental part of a planning application’s pre-commencement conditions. For developers looking to provide local authorities, regulators and stakeholders with clear, detailed and practical documentation that shows how all development activities will be controlled with regard to local biodiversity, the recommended solution would be a construction environmental management plan (CEMP).

What is a Construction Environmental Management Plan?

A construction environmental management plan (CEMP) is a project-specific document that explains how risks and impacts on natural assets will be managed, mitigated and monitored throughout the construction phase of a development. A CEMP forms a part of a planning project’s environmental compliance strategy, and local authorities will often insist on seeing evidence of one in any developments that are complex, large or environmentally sensitive.

Elements Included in a CEMP

Every plan is specially tailored to the requirements and circumstances of the development site and planning project, but common elements that appear in a CEMP include:

When is a Construction Environmental Management Plan Required?

More often than not, a CEMP will be called for whenever the local authority sets it as part of the planning conditions, and with it, the developer can realistically secure planning permission.

Other situations could call for a CEMP, however, such as if the development is likely to cause short-term environmental disruption or falls under EIA regulations. Alternatively, the development site may be situated in or near to hospitals, residential zones, schools or particularly ecologically sensitive areas like Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), National Nature Reserves (NNRs), RAMSAR sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), UNESCO Biosphere Reserves or World Heritage Sites.

Another aspect that could call for a CEMP is the proposed work itself, such as if the development involves demolition, excavation or piling.

If you’re unsure of whether or not a CEMP is needed and haven’t been directly asked for one by the planning department of your local council, we would advise getting in touch with our team so we can see if your development needs one to continue.

Overlap with Other Plans

It is possible for a CEMP to reference or integrate other similar plans and assessments, such as:

• Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP)
• Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)
• Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP)
• Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP)
• Surface Water Management Plan (SuDS)

The CEMP Structure and Process

In order to manage the environmental risks on a construction site, a structured and detailed plan will be needed to translate each commitment into enforceable on-site actions.

Every plan is different and suits the nature of the development, the site’s constraints and the applicable local planning policies. That said, the creation of a CEMP always follows the same framework and legislative requirements.

A plan includes all the measures necessary to control, mitigate and monitor the potential adverse effects on the local environment and the surrounding communities.

Core Sections of a Plan

Below, we’ve broken down each part of a plan:

1. Project Overview

Includes all information about the development and site, including the location, planning references and scope of the planning project – an especially important aspect on major development sites where the level of environmental sensitivity or scale increases the risk.

2. Environmental Risk Assessment

Summarises the potential impacts on air, ecology, land, water or human health, identifying the need for comprehensive method statements.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Confirms who is responsible for working the recommended measures from the CEMP into the development plans, including the principal contractor, the site’s environmental management and the ecological clerk of works (ECoW).

4. Working Hours and Site Access

Sets out the permitted working hours, noise activity windows and emergency out-of-hours procedures, defining delivery hours, on-site movement controls and vehicle access routes to minimise disruption.

5. Mitigation and Control Measures

Caters to various factors, such as dust suppression, noise and vibration control, protection of habitats, tree retention, waste management and water pollution, with high-risk activities including appendices and method statements for dewatering, piling and vegetation clearance tasks.

6. Monitoring, Inspecting and Reporting

Explains how environmental performance will be tracked, what inspections will take place, and how cases of non-compliance will be addressed – useful for demonstrating compliance with legislative requirements post-consent in developments subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

7. Communications and Complaints Procedure

Opens up an opportunity for engaging with local stakeholders and handling any complaints related to dust, noise, traffic impacts or working hours caused by the construction site.

Our Construction Environmental Management Plan Guidance

Working on minor and major development projects and both big and small sites, our team has the ability to ensure that your plans fit within the legislative requirements that could otherwise see you struggle with achieving planning consent.

After explaining the ins and outs surrounding construction environmental management plans, the space below specifically covers how we provide this service ourselves, taking into consideration the details of your construction site, the likely cost and working hours, and the available methods of getting in touch with our administration staff.

Who Prepares a Construction Environmental Management Plan?

Certain members of our team are qualified to prepare CEMPs, with sufficient experience of construction methods, planning policy and regulatory requirements. The consultants at Arbtech come with a track record for delivering CEMPs for commercial, residential and infrastructure projects and liaising with local authorities, planners and regulatory bodies.

Whichever construction environmental management plan specialist you are given for your project, you will be working with someone who has a practical understanding of construction site management and contractor needs. The consultant will work closely with your design, planning and site teams to ensure that environmental measures are realistic, cost-effective and aligned with your aims.

Average Construction Environmental Management Plan Cost

When it comes to pricing up the services we provide, the cost starts at a baseline, and we only add on any further fees based on the size and circumstances of the development site and the scale of the planning project. Both factors will affect the number of consultants needed for the inspection part of the process, as will other details such as the environmental receptors in and around the site.

In terms of the typical cost for a CEMP, it could range anywhere from less than £1000 to more than £3,500, with the price impacted by the level of risk in the development, the category of development, and whether it is considered complex, has multiple phases or involves sensitive features and areas. For an accurate quote, it would be worth speaking to our team directly.

Contact Our Team for a CEMP

Our team supports contractors, developers and planning consultants all over the UK with preparing plans to support developments and satisfy any planning conditions. Between the options of having a detailed CEMP by itself or as part of a wider landscape survey, you will be able to achieve the goals of your development from a team with years of experience in helping developers move through steps in the process until project completion.

We can also supply you with other types of assessment as required, from trees to ecology, archaeology to contaminated land, air and noise to protected species, and much more. By speaking to our team, you can tell us all about your development and allow us to advise you on the services you need. Our team will also give you a free quote for any surveys and reports you need, and if you require a construction environmental management plan, we can choose a date to get involved.