NW2702 Ecological Screening Support

The Northumbrian Water Conservation and Land Management Team currently undertake ecological screening of over six hundred projects each year. These projects range from minor connections, treatment work and pipeline refurbishments, through to mains renewal and major site upgrades. As part of this screening work, we carry out designated site checks, protected species surveys, hedgerow surveys, regional data checks and ecological walkover surveys. Based on initial findings we may then need to prepare method statements or obtain Natural England license's affecting designated sites or protected species. This workload is not split evenly throughout the year and consequently we experience periods of intense activity which can put a strain on the team as they try to assess projects in a timely manner. We are therefore seeking a schedule of agreed rates that would allow NWL to call upon qualified external support at busy times.