Residential & Commercial Development Solutions

Seeding Solutions for Housing and Commercial Development

Residential and commercial development projects demand vegetation solutions that protect programmes, satisfy adoption requirements, and deliver mandatory BNG compliance. CDTS provides hydroseeding, conventional seeding, and erosion control for house builders, commercial developers, and contractors across the North West, North Wales, and West Midlands.

We work with national house builders including Barratt Homes, Redrow, Persimmon, and Bloor Homes to establish amenity grassland, stabilise SUDS features, and create BNG-compliant habitats that meet local authority adoption standards.

Why Vegetation Management Matters on Development Sites

Development sites face three critical vegetation challenges that directly impact programme and adoption.

Adoption delays

Black right arrow.

Local authorities will not adopt SUDS ponds, open spaces, or highway verges until vegetation is established and stable. Without rapid, reliable establishment, handover stalls and developers carry ongoing maintenance liability.

BNG compliance deadlines

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Since November 2023, all major developments require 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, measured against the statutory metric. Habitats must be delivered on schedule and verified by ecologists before discharge of planning conditions.

Erosion and programme risk

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SUDS pond slopes, temporary stockpiles, and development margins left bare erode quickly, creating sediment control issues, environmental permit breaches, and costly remediation works that delay practical completion.

How CDTS Solves Development Vegetation Challenges

We combine hydroseeding, conventional seeding, and erosion control to deliver four critical outcomes: rapid establishment that meets adoption timelines, BNG-compliant habitats verified against the statutory metric, SUDS pond stabilisation that satisfies Section 104 requirements, and amenity grassland suitable for local authority handover.

CDTS Housing Development Solutions
Rapid grass establishment on housing development

Rapid Establishment for Adoption Timelines

Fast germination to accelerate sign-off

We use hydroseeding with rapid-action mulches to achieve germination, under optimal conditions, in 7 to 14 days during growing season. For SUDS ponds, embankments, and amenity areas, this accelerates adoption sign-off and reduces the period of developer maintenance liability.

Fast Germination 6,000L Coverage Adoption Ready
BNG-compliant wildflower meadow on housing development

BNG-Compliant Habitat Creation

Verified biodiversity units for statutory compliance

We deliver wildflower meadows, species-rich grassland, and hedgerow establishment that contribute measurable biodiversity units under the statutory metric. We work with your ecologist to specify appropriate seed mixes, use local-provenance seed where required, and provide post-implementation documentation.

Statutory Metric Local Provenance Verified Units
SUDS pond with BFM erosion protection

SUDS Pond and Basin Stabilisation

24-hour bond for immediate erosion protection

SUDS adoption requires stable, vegetated slopes that control erosion and support water quality. We hydroseed pond margins using Bonded Fibre Matrix (BFM) for immediate erosion protection on gradients up to 2:1, preventing sediment discharge that triggers permit breaches.

2:1 Gradients 24-Hour Bond Adoption Compliant
Precision drill seeding for amenity grassland

Amenity Grassland and Public Open Space

Precision drilling for uniform, high-quality establishment

For playing fields, formal lawns, and community open spaces, we provide conventional drill seeding using Blec Turfmaker precision drills. This ensures even coverage, optimal seed-to-soil contact, and uniform establishment suitable for high-visibility amenity areas.

Blec Turfmaker Even Coverage High-Visibility Quality

SEEDING SPECIALISTS

CDTS operates seven hydroseeders (from compact 2500L towed units to 6000L lorry-mounted machines) plus precision drill seeders and ground preparation equipment. Since 1991, we have established vegetation on housing developments throughout the North West, North Wales, and West Midlands, routinely completing multi-phase schemes covering tens of hectares. Over 90% of our work comes from repeat business and referrals.

Our CHAS accreditation and comprehensive insurance satisfy procurement requirements for Barratt Homes, Redrow, Persimmon, and Tier 1 contractors. We carry £5 million public liability and £10 million employers liability insurance, with full method statements and risk assessments available for all works.

Why CDTS for Steep Slope Erosion Control

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When is the best time to seed on development sites?

    The optimal seeding window runs from late March to early October for grass and amenity mixes. Wildflower and BNG mixes typically seed in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to October). We can hydroseed outside these periods using winter-hardy species and protective mulches, but germination slows in colder months. Early consultation lets us align seeding with your phasing and adoption deadlines.

  • How quickly can vegetation establish for adoption?

    Grass germination, under optimal growing conditions, typically occurs within 7 to 14 days during growing season, with 80% cover achievable in 6 to 10 weeks under good conditions. SUDS ponds and amenity areas often require 12-week establishment periods before local authority inspection. We work backwards from your adoption deadline to determine the latest viable seeding date and identify weather contingencies.

  • What are the adoption requirements for SUDS features?

    Local authorities require stable, vegetated slopes on SUDS ponds before adoption under Section 104 agreements. This typically means erosion-resistant cover on gradients up to 2:1, no visible bare patches, and water quality protection measures in place. We use BFM on SUDS slopes to provide immediate erosion control while vegetation establishes, satisfying adoption criteria faster than grass seed alone.

  • How do costs compare to traditional turf or erosion blankets?

    Hydroseeding is significantly cheaper than turfing on large areas and establishes deeper root systems that improve long-term stability. BFM erosion control costs less than traditional blankets while providing equivalent erosion protection, with faster installation that reduces labour and programme time. We provide itemised quotations showing cost per square metre, materials, and equipment deployment for direct comparison.

  • What documentation do you provide for handover?

    We supply method statements, risk assessments, material safety data sheets, seed mix specifications, and application records. For BNG projects, we provide post-implementation reports detailing species sown, provenance certificates, application rates, and photographic records. These documents support your adoption applications, ecological monitoring, and contractor vetting requirements.