Project Description

Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW)

Our expert ecologists regularly undertake the role of Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) for our clients, whereby we provide advice, give toolbox talks to contractors and supervise any ecologically sensitive activities which a development or site may have. As part of the site supervision, we can also provide completion reports.

Our experienced site staff are CSCS registered and are excellent communicators.

Examples of recent ECoW:

  • Our client was working in close proximity to a bat roost, undertaking very noisy works, we installed sound screening to reduce indirect noise impacts and provided a watching brief, recording noise whilst the works were operational. The works were undertaken over several days, without the need for a derogation licence.
  • We recently supervised the cutting back of trees and scrub for an electricity company, in a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and in an area containing a large population of great crested newts. Previously the Client had been told that they would need a licence by another consultancy, however, we worked closely with our client and designed a working method statement that enabled the works to be undertaken under ECoW. As the site was a Local Nature Report, we checked prior to works that the LPA were agreeable with this approach. The works were undertaken over two weeks, the trees/scrub were cut down to a safe height, the tree branches were stacked in log piles to enhance habitat for great crested newts, also opening the ground layer up so that vegetation could establish in former shaded areas. The approach was a positive result for our client, it saved delays of obtaining a derogation licence and was much more cost effective.
  • We provided ECoW to supervise pond enhancement works during the winter period in an area where great crested newts are present. The amphibians were happy with their enhanced pond and so was the contractor knowing that the works had been completed in the correct manor.
  • We provide toolbox talks to contractors, that can be incorporated into site inductions.
  • We provided ECoW to permit bridge surveyors to undertake an assessment of a viaduct. The expansion gaps were suspected as being used as bat roosts, but the bridge assessment involved endoscoping the expansion gaps and using light to look at the structure. We provided one of our licensed bat surveyors to be present and legally permit the assessment.

Although not particularly ECoW, our expert ecologist have also visited schools to run environmental classes for environment week, taken scout groups out for environment night, lectured in ecology at Universities and provided bespoke training courses to Architects to assist our clients ecological knowledge upon request.