Green Roof Installation — London & South East
Smarter Roofs for a Greener Future
Green roofs – roofing systems that incorporate living vegetation as part of the roof build-up – have moved from being a niche architectural statement to a mainstream requirement in London’s commercial and public sector building landscape. Planning authorities across the capital increasingly require green or biodiverse roofing as a condition of development consent.
The Environment Act 2021 introduced a mandatory requirement for ten per cent biodiversity net gain on most new development in England – and green and biodiverse roofing is one of the most practical ways to deliver measurable biodiversity units on urban sites where ground-level planting opportunities are limited.
At DL Jones Roofing Services, we deliver green and biodiverse roofing systems across London and the South East – integrated with our Bauder and Polyroof waterproofing platforms to create installations that are both environmentally valuable and technically excellent. Our teams operate daily across London, Surrey, Kent, Sussex, and Essex, working with local authorities, housing associations, schools, and commercial properties on both new-build and refurbishment green roof projects.
Our Sustainable Roofing Solutions
Green Roof Installations
Living roofs that provide natural insulation, absorb rainwater, reduce urban heat, and increase biodiversity. We install:
Sedum & Extensive Green Roofs – lightweight, low-maintenance options for flat roofs
Biodiverse & Wildflower Roofs – tailored for ecology and planning compliance
Intensive Green Roofs – for rooftop gardens and accessible green spaces
Biodiversity Net Gain & Planning Compliance - How Green Roofs Help
The Environment Act 2021 introduced a mandatory requirement for ten per cent biodiversity net gain on most new development in England – meaning developers must demonstrate that biodiversity on and around the development site is measurably improved compared to its pre-development baseline. Green and biodiverse roofing is one of the most practical and direct ways to deliver measurable biodiversity units on urban development sites where ground-level planting opportunities are limited by site coverage, hard landscaping, and highways.
Planning authorities across London and the South East – including the Greater London Authority – increasingly require green or biodiverse roofing as a condition of development consent, independent of the national BNG requirement.
DL Jones works with clients, their ecologists, and planning consultants to specify green roof systems that deliver the required biodiversity unit uplift for planning compliance. See our roof surveys and reports service for how we assess structural suitability before any green roof is specified.
The Benefits of Green Roofing for London Buildings
Green roofs significantly reduce and delay the flow of rainwater from the roof into the drainage system. An extensive sedum roof can retain between forty and ninety per cent of annual rainfall – reducing peak flow rates and relieving pressure on drainage infrastructure. For buildings in areas with combined sewer overflow issues or drainage capacity constraints — which describes much of central and inner London — this attenuation benefit has real practical value and can contribute to drainage credits in planning applications and BREEAM assessments. For local authorities managing urban drainage programmes, green roofing on civic and housing estate buildings is an increasingly valued component of sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS) strategies.
Solar PV Roofing Systems
Maximise your roof space with integrated Solar PV installations. We work with commercial-grade flat roofing systems (including Bauder and Polyroof) to deliver solar-ready solutions with full waterproofing integrity.
Green roofs and solar PV are fully compatible on the same roof area – the two systems can be designed to work together, with solar panels positioned on raised frames above the green roof substrate, allowing both to coexist and contribute to the building’s sustainability credentials. The green roof provides evaporative cooling that can marginally improve solar panel efficiency, while the solar panels provide shade that reduces moisture stress on the vegetation beneath. For a full overview of our solar integration capability, see our Solar PV Roofing Solutions page.
Warm Roof Build-Ups
Rainwater Harvesting Options
Working Towards Net Zero?
Whether it’s part of your ESG strategy, funding requirement, or public sector decarbonisation plan – our sustainable roofing options support your net-zero goals with proven products and long-term warranties.
Why Choose DL Jones Roofing for Sustainable Roofing?
Specialist installers of Bauder, Polyroof, and other BBA-approved systems
Full warm roof & green roof build-ups designed to spec
All works completed to the highest safety and waterproofing standards
Experienced working on schools, public buildings, and large commercial roofs
Seamless integration of solar, insulation, and green technology
BREEAM & ESG-Aligned
Sectors We Work With
Green Roof Installations Across London & the South East
Our green roofing installation teams operate daily from our South Croydon base, covering the full London and South East region. We deliver green and biodiverse roof installations across all London boroughs – including Croydon, Bromley, Sutton, Lewisham, Greenwich, Wandsworth, Lambeth, Southwark, and Kingston upon Thames – as well as throughout Surrey, Kent, Sussex, and Essex.
Whether your project is a new civic building in East London requiring a BNG-compliant biodiverse roof, a housing development in Surrey needing an extensive sedum roof as a planning condition, or a commercial refurbishment in Kent targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating – our team covers your area. Call 020 8657 0734 or request a free green roof survey to discuss your project.
Let’s Talk About Your Roofing Needs
Whether you’re managing a housing portfolio, overseeing public buildings, or need urgent repairs to your property, we’re ready to help. Get in touch with our expert team today.
What Our Clients Say
We’re proud of our reputation and the trust we’ve earned from local authorities, commercial clients, and homeowners alike. Our customers consistently recommend us for our high standards, clear communication, and hassle-free service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of green roofs do you install?
We deliver sedum/extensive, biodiverse wildflower, and decked intensive roofs based on structural and ecological needs.
Not sure which type is right for your building? Our roof survey and condition report service assesses structural suitability and advises on the appropriate green roof specification for your project, BNG target, and planning requirements.
Do green roofs help with planning permission?
Yes – significantly, and in London this is increasingly one of the primary reasons green roofs are being specified. The Environment Act 2021 introduced a mandatory requirement for ten per cent biodiversity net gain on most new development in England, and green and biodiverse roofing is one of the most practical ways to deliver measurable biodiversity units on urban sites where ground-level planting opportunities are limited.
Can green roofs be retrofitted?
Often – we assess structural capacity and waterproofing to fit green systems onto existing roofs with minimal disruption.
At DL Jones, every potential green roof retrofit begins with a structural and waterproofing survey that gives an honest assessment of feasibility. If the existing structure cannot support a green roof safely, we will tell you clearly – and advise on whether lightweight extensive systems could be made to work with additional structural reinforcement, or whether the green roof should be incorporated into a planned re-roofing programme rather than retrofitted.
Are maintenance services included with green roofs?
Can green roofs be combined with solar PV?
Planning a Green Roof? Start with a Free Survey.
Whether your project is driven by planning conditions, biodiversity net gain requirements, BREEAM targets, or a commitment to sustainable building management – our team covers all of London and the South East. The first step is always a structural and waterproofing assessment to confirm your roof is suitable and to specify the system that delivers your ecological and performance requirements. Call 020 8657 0734 or request a free survey online.