We are thrilled to announce that Binder Ltd has been awarded the ‘Best Partnership with a Local Authority Building Control Team’ at the esteemed LABC Building Excellence Awards. This regional award, presented in recognition of our outstanding collaboration with Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils, is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional construction standards, quality workmanship, and innovative solutions in every project we undertake.

The LABC Building Excellence Awards are the largest and most prestigious business-to-business awards within the UK building control sector, celebrating those who go above and beyond to achieve excellence in construction. This accolade means so much to us as it highlights the strength of our partnership with local authorities and showcases our dedication to driving industry standards forward.

We’re Heading to the National Finals!

The journey doesn’t stop here – we’re excited to share that we’ll be attending the national awards ceremony on Friday, 24 January 2025, at the iconic Grosvenor House in London. This black-tie event will bring together the best of the best from across the UK to celebrate the very pinnacle of building excellence, and we are proud to be part of it.

Why This Matters

For us at Binder Ltd, this recognition is not just an award – it is a reflection of the values we uphold and the strong partnerships we’ve built with our clients and local authorities alike. Our collaboration with Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils demonstrates how teamwork, trust, and shared commitment can deliver exceptional results.

National Awards ceremony

We are looking forward to an incredible evening filled with celebration, networking, and recognition.

• Celebrating our success: This win is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of everyone at Binder Ltd. We can’t wait to celebrate this achievement on such a prestigious stage!
• Rewarding our team: Our success is only possible because of the talented individuals who strive for excellence every day. The awards evening will be a perfect opportunity to celebrate their contribution.
• Connecting with industry leaders: We are looking forward to catching up with peers, industry colleagues, and partners, as well as forging new relationships within the sector.

A Big Thank You

This award wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of our partners, colleagues, and clients. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils for their continued partnership and shared vision of excellence. We are immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together and look forward to more successful collaborations in the future.

As we prepare for the national finals in January, we are filled with pride and excitement. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey with us – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Nutrient pollution is a significant environmental concern affecting many of England’s most vital natural habitats. In freshwater environments and estuaries, elevated levels of nutrients—particularly nitrogen and phosphorus—can accelerate the growth of certain plants, disrupting natural ecosystems and harming wildlife.

Understanding Nutrient Pollution

Nutrient pollution arises from several sources, which can vary depending on the location. Common contributors include:

• Sewage treatment works: These facilities can release high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus if not adequately managed.
• Septic tanks: Improperly maintained septic systems can leak nutrients into nearby water bodies.
• Livestock and arable farming: Agricultural runoff often contains fertilisers and manure rich in nutrients, which can wash into rivers and streams.
• Industrial processes: Certain industries discharge nutrient-rich wastewater as a by-product of their operations.

When these excess nutrients enter water bodies, they promote the overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants. This growth can suffocate other aquatic life, reduce biodiversity, and alter the natural balance of these habitats, leading to a decline in water quality and the health of the ecosystem.

The Issue at Hand

Several water-dependent Habitat Sites across England, including areas of North Norfolk and the Broads are already in ‘unfavourable condition’ due to excessive nitrogen and/or phosphorus levels. This situation poses an urgent need to protect these habitats and their wildlife. Under the Habitats Regulations, any new development projects that cannot demonstrate they will not add to nutrient pollution are unlikely to receive planning permission.

At Binder we are committed to addressing this by working in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including developers, local planning authorities, manufacturers such as HABA and environmental consultants Nutrient Neutral to provide efficient, sustainable solutions for nutrient management in development projects and for customers looking to upgrade their private sewage systems.

What is Nutrient Neutrality?

Nutrient neutrality is a strategic approach designed to mitigate the impact of new developments on nutrient levels in sensitive habitats. The goal is to allow Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to grant development permissions without exacerbating nutrient pollution in designated Habitats Sites particularly in North Norfolk (see map).

This approach serves as a short-term measure, part of a larger governmental effort to address the root causes of nutrient overload. A coordinated response involving various departments, including the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), supports this initiative. The aim is to tackle nutrient pollution from its primary sources, such as:

• Improving sewage treatment facilities to reduce nutrient discharge
• Enhancing septic tank regulations and maintenance
• Promoting sustainable agricultural practices to limit runoff
• Regulating industrial processes to minimise nutrient waste

Do I Qualify?

If you have a private sewage system (non-commercial), the small-scale discharge criteria are a set of tests to determine if the phosphorus discharged via a drainage field, is deemed likely to reach the surface water and hence the protected site, thereby having a ‘Likely Significant Effect’ (LSE).  The criteria were derived from the ‘Small scale discharges of phosphorus: Low risk mapping’ was provided by Natural England to LPA’s in March 2022.  

If a tank meets all the criteria, the tank is deemed as not having an LSE and therefore not eligible for upgrade. If one of the criteria is not met, then the discharge is considered to have failed the criteria, thereby having a likely significant effect of the protected site and can be upgraded. The small-scale criteria are provided below:

1. To ensure that there is no significant in combination effect, the discharge to ground should be at least 200m from any other discharge to ground 
2. The drainage field will not be subject to significant flooding, e.g. it is not in Flood Zone 2 or 3
3. The drainage field is more than 40m from any surface water feature e.g. ditch, drain, watercourse 
4. The drainage field is more than 5 m from the designated site boundary (or sensitive interest feature).  
5. The drainage field is in an area with a slope no greater than 15%. 
6. There are no other known factors which would expedite the transport of phosphorus for example fissured geology, insufficient soil below the drainage pipes, known sewer flooding, conditions in the soil/geology that would cause remobilisation phosphorus, presence of mineshafts.  
7. The drainage field is in an area where the high groundwater depth is at least 2m below the surface at all times 
8. The percolation test has been performed on the proposed location of the drainage field with the resulting value lying within the required range under the Building Regulations 2010, which specify an average Vp value of between 12 and 100 

Our Role: Providing Sustainable Solutions

To tackle this issue, we have developed a strategic approach in partnership with HABA, offering state-of-the-art sewage treatment solutions that help developers meet stringent nutrient neutrality requirements. By working with Nutrient Neutral, a leading consultancy specialising in protecting water resources, we ensure that our systems not only comply with regulations but also actively contribute to preserving the health of local waterways.

We partner with HABA and Nutrient Neutral to offer sustainable sewage treatment and mitigation solutions for developers. Our services include:

1. Sewage Treatment Plants: Design, installation, and maintenance of systems to reduce nutrient discharge.
2. Consultancy: Guidance on compliance with nutrient neutrality requirements.
3. Mitigation Solutions: Implementation of wetlands, nutrient offset schemes, and sustainable drainage systems.

Supporting Sustainable Development

Our goal is to enable sustainable development that supports growth while protecting the natural environment. By working closely with developers, HABA, and Nutrient Neutral, we are helping to safeguard England’s water resources for future generations.