Community led GBI toolkit

Locally sourced, sustainable resources should be used where possible. It is important to also consider the longevity of different materials especially in relation to the environment you are based within. Where possible, using locally sourced, reclaimed, or recycled materials can support local business, promote a circular economy, and reduce waste.

The space needs to be designed to ensure that it is flood and drought resilient. This could include minimising areas that create large amounts of surface run off by utilising Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and/or permeable materials.

Traditional surface water drainage systems can increase the risk of flooding on your site so it's important to design the site appropriately. SuDS imitate the natural drainage process to alleviate against the risk of flooding. SuDS can also improve water quality, and create both biodiverse habitats and new recreational spaces.

If you are considering building on the site, it is important to remember that any building over 100sq m will require a sustainable drainage application to the SAB department of the local authority. The application will need to show how drainage has been addressed.

A community space the needs to be accessible for the individuals it serves. Accessibility must be considered at on early stage to prevent exclusion and expensive retrofitting. Accessible designing could include wider paths for wheelchair access, varied forms of seating, or raised flower/planting beds.

The Sensory Trust provides resources on designing accessible spaces. It is also important to create a layout which ensures people feel safe. Research conducted by the University of Leeds may prove useful in ensuring this.

To maximise the longevity and productivity of any planted areas on site, you will need to think about what is best to plant - think 'right plant, right place'. Native and local provenance plants which support pollinators should be prioritised as they ore generally lower maintenance, acclimatised to local conditions, and provide habitat for local wildlife.

If you are considering planting trees on the site, you need to carefully consider what type of tree is most appropriate depending on the location, situation, in addition to future maintenance requirements. It may be beneficial to seek advice from a professional who con suggest the most appropriate type and location for trees. Also, whilst it might be more expensive to buy and plant a more established tree rather than a sapling, if the correct type is chosen and properly planted, it may be more likely to succeed. The Woodland Trust   has further information on choosing the right tree.

Thinking about how the site can support biodiversity is a key consideration which can help tackle the nature emergency. Firstly, you need to understand what biodiversity is already present on site, including any protected species. You can then look at how to further support such species and encourage more biodiversity such as planting native wildflowers for pollinators.

You can discover Carmarthenshire's priority species and habitats on our website.

For additional information on how you can support pollinators, please visit the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

You will need to consider what facilities the site has to deal with sanitation and waste. If there are currently no facilities, you will need to think about whether such facilities are needed. For example, you could consider adding compost toilets and green waste composting facilities.

Toilets should not be installed without seeking professional advice and may need planning permission. The requirements may vary depending on the site’s location, but adequate foul drainage will need to be installed and demonstrated.

You may also need access to water, either by a mains supply or rainwater collection. Whether a water source is needed will be dependent on the site itself and proposed activities. Dwr Cymru have guidance on the process of getting mains water supply installed along with the associated costs.

An element which is often forgotten when designing accessible space is shaded and sheltered areas. Whilst you may think that maximising sunlight on the site is important for greenery and plants, it is important that you incorporate sheltered areas too. This will help to avoid issues such as sunburn and heat stroke in the warmer months. Such areas can also be useful to facilitate workshops which can be delivered in all weathers if appropriate shelter is available.