Company Profile

Our company offers a wide range of ecological consultancy services. We offer an initial on-site survey to identify protected fauna species or in the form of a Phase 1 Habitat survey followed by advice and recommendations on how best to proceed, taking into account the client's objectives and any legal constraints that may apply. On instruction from the client we will apply for any necessary licences and supervise mitigation measures through to the successful completion of the project.

Our company has a reputation for providing a comprehensive service and a pragmatic approach to problem solving.

The company was started in 1998 by Derek and Kate Whitcher when they had the opportunity to expand their lifetime interest in environmental issues and the enjoyment of studying and learning about wildlife into a commercial consultancy. Jenny Whitcher joined the business in January 2001 and Steven Whitcher in February 2002. The company became incorporated in April 2002. Since that time James Campbell, Ruth Georgiou and Steve Lingwood have joined us as additional consultants.

Since commencing, the business has expanded its range of services. It now offers consultancy services with respect to badgers, water voles, otters, great crested newts, nesting birds, crayfish, bats, amphibians and reptiles. Further details can be seen on our list of recent clients and recent projects.

Each survey includes a full assessment of the site and surrounding areas. Specialised survey techniques are used as appropriate. Results and recommendations are presented in a comprehensive report and existing records are obtained from the local records centre when required. Where required by the client we follow through and supervise recommended mitigation measures to their completion, this includes providing full justification for the proposed mitigation measures to accompany an application to the appropriate Licensing Authority and the supervision of those licences.

Our company has actioned and supervised licences from Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales, DEFRA, the National Assembly for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). We also hold Natural England Survey licences for great crested newts, crayfish, barn owls, bats and CCW Survey licences for great crested newts and bats.

Our company is able to provide a comprehensive service to our clients with respect to protected species issues.

We are Link-up approved, registration number 19310. All personnel hold Personal Track Safety and Individual Working Alone certificates in accordance with railway safety regulations and we have two core planners within the company to allow us to organise safe systems of work and prepare our own Rimini packs.

We have a comprehensive health and safety manual approved to the Network Rail core module standards which is audited annually.

We hold public indemnity insurances in the value of £5m and professional indemnity in the value of £1m.