Question: What is an Ecological Clerk of Works?
Answer: An Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) is a qualified ecologist appointed to oversee the ecological aspects of a construction project on site. The ECoW ensures that the mitigation, protection and licensing requirements set out in the ecological reports, planning conditions and protected species licences are properly implemented, and advises the contractor on how to avoid harm to wildlife and habitats during works.
The role provides assurance to the developer, contractor, planning authority and Natural England that ecological commitments are being delivered.
Question: When is an Ecological Clerk of Works required?
Answer: An ECoW is typically required where:
- Planning conditions require ecological supervision or a Construction Environmental Management Plan with ecological measures
- A protected species mitigation licence from Natural England names an ecologist to supervise works
- Vegetation clearance is undertaken during or close to the bird nesting season
- Works take place near watercourses, badger setts, bat roosts or reptile habitat
- Biodiversity Net Gain or BREEAM commitments require habitat protection during construction
- Large infrastructure and Environmental Impact Assessment projects
Question: What does an Ecological Clerk of Works do?
Answer: Typical ECoW duties include:
- Toolbox talks and ecological briefings for site staff
- Pre-commencement checks for nesting birds, badgers, reptiles and bats
- Supervising vegetation clearance and demolition of buildings with bat potential
- Installing and checking protective fencing and exclusion zones
- Translocation of reptiles, amphibians and other species
- Monitoring compliance with licence conditions
- Advising on unexpected discoveries of protected species
- Keeping a site diary and issuing reports to the planning authority and Natural England
Question: What qualifications should an ECoW hold?
Answer: An ECoW should be a professional ecologist, normally a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), with relevant survey licences for the species concerned, such as Natural England bat or great crested newt class licences, and experience of construction sites, including CSCS certification. Where works are undertaken under a mitigation licence, the ECoW must be named on or accredited under the licence.
Question: What happens if protected species are found during construction?
Answer: If protected species are discovered unexpectedly, works in the affected area must stop and the ECoW must be consulted. The ECoW assesses the situation and advises on lawful options, which may include timing changes, exclusion, translocation or, in some cases, obtaining a licence. Proceeding without advice can result in prosecution, unlimited fines and imprisonment, and can jeopardise the planning permission.
Question: How does an ECoW help discharge planning conditions?
Answer: Many ecological planning conditions require evidence that mitigation has been implemented, such as reports confirming pre-clearance checks, installation of bat boxes, habitat creation and protective fencing. The ECoW's site reports and photographic records provide this evidence, allowing conditions to be discharged and the development to progress to occupation without delay.
Question: Why choose Syntegra Group for Ecological Clerk of Works services?
Answer: Syntegra Group provides Ecological Clerk of Works services across the UK, delivered by CIEEM member ecologists holding the necessary species licences and construction site qualifications. We offer flexible appointments from one-off pre-commencement checks to full-time site supervision on major projects.
Because our ecologists prepare the surveys, mitigation strategies and licence applications, they understand the commitments that must be delivered on site and provide the reports needed to satisfy planning authorities and Natural England.
