2.1 Identifying ecological risks and opportunities

Assessing ecology issues using a mix of routes - KBCN1306

Where Route 1 is pursued initially and it is subsequently decided that Route 2 should be followed, the Suitably Qualified Ecologist appointed should review all evidence available for the issues already assessed to confirm the actions taken were appropriate. Note: Route 1 and Route 2 are referred to as the 'Foundation' and 'Comprehensive' routes in HQM and UK NCR.

30-Oct-2025 - Title updated. Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1

Late appointment of the Suitably Qualified Ecologist - KBCN0603

If the Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) is appointed after the commencement of activities on-site and if the other requirements of this issue are met, then credits can still be awarded, provided that:

the SQE confirms that all relevant UK and EU legislation relating to the protection and enhancement of ecology has been complied with during the design and construction process
the SQE confirms that their late appointment has not compromised the adoption of any measures to improve the assessed site's long term biodiversity.

30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1
13th Jul 21 Correction - applied to UK NC2018 LE05

Late liaison and collaboration of project team with representative stakeholder - KBCN1814

Where it can be demonstrated that liaison and collaboration between the project team and the representative stakeholder occurred later than the early design stages (typically post-RIBA Stage 2 or equivalent), the criteria may still be met if a suitably qualified ecologist confirms that these late discussions have not compromised the site’s ability to achieve its optimal ecological outcome, in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy of action: 1. Avoidance. 2. Protection. 3. Reduction or limitation of negative impacts. 4. On-site compensation. 5. Enhancement considering the capacity and feasibility within the site, or where this is not viable, off-site.

Recognised local ecological expertise - KBCN1193

Organisations/individuals that have the expertise to provide specialist input or guidance to inform the adoption of locally relevant (within the zone of influence) ecological measures that enhance the ecological value of the site. This may include bodies such as: a. Local Government and other statutory relevant organisations. b. Local community groups, organisations, or charities, such as the Wildlife Trusts. c. Local, regional, or national fauna focused groups such as Bug life, RSPB, Bat Conservation Trust etc.

30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1
This definition will be added to the relevant technical manuals in their next re-issue.

Relating green roofs to multiple assessments in the same building - KBCN1195

A green roof on top of such buildings can be used to award credits for each assessment for which the Land use and ecology Issues apply. The benefit can be applied to to all assessments undertaken for the building provided all are completed within the appropriate time-frame of a valid ecological survey.

30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1

Risk to Ecologist’s safety - KBCN0704

In some situations a significant safety risk may prevent a suitably qualified ecologist from attending the site to undertake a site survey. In these cases a desktop study can be used to demonstrate compliance, where the ecologist confirms that it is an acceptably robust substitute. In these cases, the assessor must provide evidence to confirm the type of significant safety risk present.

30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1

Site clearance prior to purchase of the site - KBCN1197

For sites cleared prior to purchase of the site and less than five years before assessment, a Suitably Qualified Ecologist should estimate the site’s ecological value immediately prior to clearance using available desktop information (including aerial photography) and the landscape type/area surrounding the site. Where it is not possible for the ecologists to determine ecological value of the site prior to site clearance, i.e. where there is no evidence to determine compliance, the credits must be withheld. For sites cleared more than five years ago, the ecological value of the site must be based on the current situation, on the basis that, within five years, ecological features would have started to re-establish and this is, therefore, representative of the site’s ecological value prior to development.

30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1

Site wide approach to ecological enhancements - KBCN1194

A site-wide approach to ecological enhancements can be used on sites where multiple buildings share areas of soft landscaping. The enhancement benefits are applied to the individual building assessments within the site. The benefit can be applied on a site-wide basis provided all developments are completed within the appropriate timeframe of a valid ecological survey.

30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1

Suitably Qualified Ecologist – Other recognised organisations - KBCN0192

Provided the individual meets all other requirements as outlined in the definition of a Suitably Qualified Ecologist, in addition to the organisations listed, full members of the following organisations can also be considered as suitably qualified

Royal Society of Biology
Institute of Environmental Sciences

30-Oct-2025 - Wording clarified. Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1

Timing of Ecological survey/report - KBCN0292

If the ecologist's site survey and/or report is completed at a later stage than required, the assessor would need to be satisfied that it was produced early enough for the recommendations to influence the Concept Design/design brief stage and leads to a positive outcome in terms of protection and enhancement of site ecology.

30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to all HQM versions and UKNCR V6.1
21/02/2017 Wording clarified.

Verification of an ecology report / information - KBCN1192

If the appointed ecologist does not meet the definition of a ‘suitably qualified ecologist’ (SQE) the report / information submitted to support the assessment must be verified by an individual who does. 1. The individual verifying the report must provide written confirmation that they comply with the definition of a ‘suitably qualified ecologist’. 2. The verifier must provide signed confirmation that they have checked and approved the report. This must clearly reference the report and can be in the form of a signed letter or their printed name and signature on a completed pro-forma. In doing so, they are deemed to confirm that the report: a. represents sound industry practice b. is correctly, truthful, and objective c. is appropriate given the local site conditions and scope of works proposed d. avoids invalid, biased, or exaggerated statements Such confirmation from the verifier must be provided in addition to all other information required by the relevant technical manual and referenced as part of the evidence submitted to demonstrate compliance. It can take a number of years for an ecologist to meet the SQE definition. Verification of information by an existing SQE supports the practical application of the assessment criteria and is in line with industry practice.

30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to HQM One, HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1
13-Aug-2019 Updated to clarify, in practical terms, what evidence of verification will be considered acceptable.

UKNC: Residential (HQM) / UKNC: Residential V6.1 / A - Our surroundings / 2 Outdoors /