The following experience has been gained during the role of Principal Ecologist, as a member of larger multidisciplinary consultancies:

Hornsea Three Offshore Wind Farm, Norfolk 

Orsted Power UK Ltd                              2021-2023

Lead ecologist for the provision of ecological support and delivery of a suite of pre-construction ecological surveys in relation to the 55km onshore cable construction corridor for this nationally significant infrastructure project. The pre-construction surveys included: bat tree roosts, barn owl, badger, otter, water vole, great crested newt eDNA, white-clawed crayfish, pink-footed geese, hedgerows and a BS5387:2012 tree survey. The role included:

Use of previous experience and knowledge of relevant legislation to determine an appropriate scope for the pre-construction surveys and design of suitable mitigation strategy ;

Liaison and negotiation with Natural England and relevant local planning authority ecologists to agree an appropriate survey scope and mitigation strategy; 

Liaison with Natural England to obtain a great crested newt district level licence and oversight of the implementation of the licence during pre-construction activities;

Provision of ecological advice to client throughout the pre-construction stage of project, particularly as the original project scope expanded to include additional locations and activities;

Production of numerous technical documents, including Ecological Management Plans for pre-construction activities, Position Notes to support negotiations with Natural England and a combined pre-construction survey report.

HS2 Badger Mitigation, Buckinghamshire 

Fusion Joint Venture                                   2021

Additional authorised person (AAP) on HS2 BADGER LICENCE WML-OR24 and team leader for badger mitigation works at specific locations in relation to HS2 associated developments. 

The role included managing a team of 5 people, comprising ecologists and vegetation clearance contractors, to complete sett exclusion works whilst working near an active railway line.

Surveys to confirm the locations and activity status of previously identified setts (any additional setts) were completed and exclusion gates and mesh was fitted. Works were undertaken in accordance with the licence method statement and the Network Rail safe system of work.

Bradfords Lane Residential Development, Gloucestershire  

Cotswold Oak Ltd                                         2021

Lead ecologist and project manager for provision of ecological support in relation to the discharge of planning conditions for a 50-unit housing development on a green field site. The role included the production of a Construction Ecological Management Plan (CEcMP), liaison and negotiation with local planning authority ecologists to agree an approach that would satisfy their needs and the client’s programme, obtaining of a great crested newt district level licence (DLL) and provision of Ecological Clerk of Works to assure that site clearance works were undertaken in compliance with the CEcMP and great crested newt DLL.

Port Talbot Steelworks, Port Talbot 

Tata Steel UK Ltd                                     2021-2022

Lead ecologist for project area protected species constraints survey, tree climbing bat surveys and Ecological Clerk of Works for ground investigation works.

Overhead Lines Ecological and Archaeological Support Services, England & Wales 

National Grid Plc                                     2019-2021

Lead ecologist and project manager for the provision of ecological support in relation to refurbishment works to electricity transmission towers across the transmission network. The role included desk-based assessments for potential ecological constraints, Habitat Regulations Assessments for works in proximity to protected sites, protected species surveys, liaison with a range of client representatives, statutory nature conservation organisations and other stakeholders (including landowners, such as RSPB).