About

Hello, I’m Frances King-Smith, a Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) and founder of Ecology Works, an independent consultancy delivering high-quality ecological surveys and assessments alongside clear, approachable client service. With 20 years' experience in ecological consultancy and five years in a County Ecologist role, we offer a unique combination of technical expertise and first-hand knowledge of the planning system. We work across projects of all scales, from private householders to larger developments and renewable energy schemes, always focused on achieving client objectives smoothly and effectively.

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I hold licences for a range of protected species, including bats, hazel dormouse and great crested newt, and I am a Natural England Registered Consultant for bats. I am also a full member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and a vetted member of its Otter Specialist Group.

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I am supported by a talented team of home-grown, seasoned field surveyors and protected species specialists, together with expert colleagues handling some of our desk-based mapping, reporting and ecological data management.

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Ecology Works provides robust, policy-led ecological reporting to support planning applications, offering pragmatic and cost-effective advice from preliminary surveys through to mitigation, licensing and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments. Based in the South Downs, we work across south-east England, delivering surveys for all aspects of terrestrial ecology and supporting other consultancies with Bat Mitigation Class Licence (BMCL) work. Competitive fees and access to Natural England’s low-impact licensing scheme help save clients time and cost, while ensuring biodiversity is protected and enhanced.