cliff-hopper - About Us

Our Background

Established in 2015, our consultancy grew from a shared frustration with ecological assessments that failed to serve either developers or the environment effectively. Too often, we observed surveys conducted merely to satisfy regulatory requirements, with little thought given to genuine conservation outcomes.

Our founding team brought together experience from local planning authorities, wildlife trusts and academic research. This combination proved valuable: we understood what regulators needed, what conservation actually required, and how to communicate both clearly to clients.

Today we work across England, Scotland and Wales, serving clients ranging from individual landowners to major housebuilders. Our approach remains consistent regardless of project scale: thorough assessment, honest advice and practical solutions.

British countryside landscape with rolling hills and meadows

Our Core Values

Principles that guide every project we undertake

Scientific Integrity

Our assessments are based on evidence and established methodology. We report findings accurately, even when they present challenges for development plans.

Clear Communication

Technical ecological information is only useful if decision-makers understand it. We write reports in plain language with actionable recommendations.

Continuous Learning

Ecological science evolves, as does planning policy. We invest in ongoing professional development and stay current with best practice guidance.

Conservation Focus

Beyond compliance, we look for opportunities to create genuine environmental benefit. Good ecology and good development are not mutually exclusive.

Our Methodology

Every project begins with understanding context: what is being proposed, what habitats exist on site, and what protected species might be present. This preliminary work shapes the scope of detailed survey effort.

Survey timing matters in ecology. Many species can only be reliably detected during specific seasons or under particular weather conditions. We plan survey programmes carefully to gather robust data within project timescales.

Our reports present findings clearly, explain their significance for the proposed development, and recommend appropriate mitigation or enhancement measures. Where protected species licensing is required, we guide clients through the application process.

We maintain relationships with clients throughout the development process, providing support during construction and establishing monitoring programmes where required by planning conditions.

Mountain landscape representing environmental assessment scope

Professional Accreditation

Our ecologists hold membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and work in accordance with their professional code of conduct. This includes requirements for competence, honesty and commitment to professional development.

We hold Natural England Class Licences for bat survey work and individual licences for other protected species as required. All fieldwork is conducted by appropriately qualified personnel using established survey methodologies.

Our quality management systems ensure consistency across projects and allow for senior review of all deliverables before client submission. We carry professional indemnity insurance appropriate to the services we provide.

Work With Our Team

Discuss your project requirements with an experienced ecologist

Contact Us

About Our Ecological Consultancy Team