PRDAPre-redevelopment Audits.
A pre-redevelopment audit (PRDA) is carried out at the pre-application stage to assess whether existing buildings, structures, and materials can be retained, reclaimed, refurbished, or incorporated into new development.
What is a PRDA?
Book an auditA Pre-redevelopment Audit (PRDA) is conducted by a third party at the pre-application stage to assess whether existing buildings, structures, and materials can be retained, reclaimed, refurbished, or incorporated into new development. It provides independently verified analysis of the potential to reuse or adapt existing assets before demolition.
The GLA's guidance asks a PRDA to describe the existing buildings and their state of repair, including each building's age, its key materials, photographs of typical interiors and facades, and site plans.
Designing out waste.
A PRDA supports applicants in demonstrating how proposals will design out waste, reduce it, and treat waste as resources across lifecycle modules. The audit evaluates the feasibility of retaining the whole or parts of the existing building while meeting development objectives in the context of broader social, economic, and environmental considerations.
PRDAs for planning approvals.
Pre-redevelopment audits are increasingly part of planning approvals in London. For schemes referable to the Mayor, the GLA's Circular Economy Statement guidance (opens in new tab) expects one:
- At outline and full planning application
- Encouraged at pre-application, while it can still shape the design
- From a third party, independently verified or peer-reviewed
- As the evidence base for the Circular Economy Statement
PRDAs in Westminster and the City of London.
Westminster's Retrofit First policy (City Plan Policy 43) asks for a PRDA where more than half of a building's floor area would be demolished, tested in order for structural soundness, requirements of use, whole life carbon and public benefits.
The City of London's Planning for Sustainability SPD (2025) expects one in the Circular Economy Statement for every major scheme, including:
- A site visit and review of existing surveys and materials
- Retention options assessed for carbon and circular economy
- A reuse catalogue of at least five key items
- Measurable targets for retained, reused and recycled materials
Case Studies.
125 Shaftesbury AvenueEDGE
A Pre-Redevelopment Audit for EDGE, filed with a GLA Circular Economy Statement. Planning approval followed in 2025.
Read the case study
33 Cavendish SquareBeam
A Pre-Demolition Audit and Pre-Redevelopment Audit survey of a 1962 tower cluster and retail podium at Oxford Circus. The scheme keeps much of the existing frame.
Read the case studyAudit Enquiry.
Tell us about your project and we will come back with a scope and a fee proposal.
It helps to include:
- The site address and approximate floor area (GIA)
- The audit you need, or the planning, BREEAM or GLA requirement it is for
- Your programme: when you need the report, and when strip-out or demolition starts
- Any drawings, asbestos surveys or previous audits of the building
We have completed over 250 audits across the UK, to BREEAM, GLA and LEED requirements. We aim to respond the same day, or within 24 hours, and can be on site within 5 days.
What's included in a Material Index PRDA.
Deliverables
- Retention assessmentIndependently verified analysis of potential to retain, adapt, or reuse existing structures and materials
- Full asset inventoryEstimation of materials via the MI platform with assessment of suitability for retention, reuse, or recycling
- Circular economy evidenceDocumentation formatted for Circular Economy Statements and planning submissions
- Collaborative digital auditLive analysis through the MI platform with stakeholder access
Compliance
- GLA Circular Economy Statement Guidance
- Westminster City Plan Policy 43: Retrofit First
- City of London Planning for Sustainability SPD (2025)
- London Plan circular economy and whole life-cycle carbon policies
Ideal for
- Sites with existing buildings proposed for redevelopment
- Planning applications requiring Circular Economy Statements
- Westminster, Camden, and City of London submissions
- Projects targeting retrofit-first approaches
Areas Material Index covers.
We cover the whole of the UK. Read how we meet compliance in specific regions, or get in touch to start your project.
Audit to Action.
Every audit is a live inventory. Use it to catalogue, manage exchange and track your materials. Material Index offers follow-on services to broker your materials to registered Trade Partners before strip-out or deconstruction begins.
Audit
Qualified auditors catalogue every component on site using our audit app.
Collaborate
The project team reviews the inventory together on the MI platform and decides what to retain, reuse or sell.
Exchange
We broker materials to registered Trade Partners through the marketplace, with full tracking and reporting.