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Before planning permission is secured or construction begins, ecological and environmental constraints can shape what can be built, where it can be positioned and when work can start.
Ecology and environmental consultants assess habitats, protected species, biodiversity requirements, contaminated land and wider environmental risks. For developers, contractors and landowners, appointing the right specialist early can help reduce planning delays, avoid redesign and keep a project moving.
This guide highlights 10 established ecology and environmental consultancies operating in the UK. It combines large multidisciplinary businesses with specialist firms working across planning, development, infrastructure and environmental compliance.
Ecology surveys often sit alongside ground investigation and geotechnical work during early site due diligence. Because some protected-species surveys are seasonal, ecology should be considered early rather than left until the end of the planning process.
Quick answer
Established UK ecology and environmental consultancies include RSK Group, Ecologia Environmental Solutions, Thomson Environmental Consultants, Aspect Ecology, FPCR, Ramboll, Ecology Solutions, Greenwillows Associates, Middlemarch and Arbtech.
The right choice depends on the site, location, planning risk, survey season, project scale and whether support is needed only for ecology or across several environmental disciplines.
What do ecology and environmental consultants do?
Ecology and environmental consultants identify constraints, assess likely effects and help project teams comply with planning policy and environmental law. Their work may begin before a site is purchased and can continue through planning, construction, habitat creation and long-term monitoring.
Services vary between consultancies, but commonly include:
- preliminary ecological appraisals (PEA)
- desk studies, habitat surveys and condition assessments
- protected-species surveys for bats, great crested newts, reptiles, birds, badgers, dormice, otters and water voles
- Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and ecology input to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, biodiversity metrics and habitat plans
- Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) support
- protected-species mitigation and licensing
- Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) support during construction
- arboricultural, landscape, contaminated-land or remediation services where offered
The findings can affect the developable area, site layout, programme, planning conditions and mitigation budget.
How we selected these consultants
This is an editorial guide rather than a paid directory or a league table. The numbering is used for readability and does not represent a formal ranking.
The selection reflects a practical mix of:
- established UK ecology and environmental consultancies
- multidisciplinary firms supporting planning, infrastructure and development
- specialists providing ecology, biodiversity and protected-species services
- consultants active across the wider planning and early-works ecosystem
Not every firm provides every service. Project teams should check current capacity, geographic coverage, relevant survey licences, sector experience and the exact scope required before appointing a consultant.
Top UK ecology and environmental consultants
The 10 consultancies featured in this guide are:
- RSK Group
- Ecologia Environmental Solutions
- Thomson Environmental Consultants
- Aspect Ecology
- FPCR Environment and Design
- Ramboll
- Ecology Solutions
- Greenwillows Associates
- Middlemarch
- Arbtech
1. RSK Group
RSK is a large environmental, engineering and technical-services group. Its environmental capability covers disciplines including ecology, biodiversity, environmental assessment, planning and related advisory services for built-environment, infrastructure, energy and water projects.
Visit the RSK ecology and biodiversity website
2. Ecologia Environmental Solutions
Ecologia is part of RSK Group and specialises principally in contaminated land and groundwater. Its work includes site investigation, assessment, remediation, construction-site water treatment and support for property, construction, industrial and public-sector clients. It is therefore most relevant where environmental risk extends beyond ecological surveys alone.
Visit the Ecologia Environmental Solutions website
3. Thomson Environmental Consultants
Thomson Environmental Consultants is an independent UK environmental consultancy. Its services cover terrestrial ecology, freshwater and marine environments, arboriculture, habitat creation and management, environmental compliance and geospatial support for projects ranging from local developments to major infrastructure.
Visit the Thomson Environmental Consultants website
4. Aspect Ecology
Aspect Ecology, part of APEM Group, specialises in ecological planning for development. It provides ecology, landscape-planning and arboricultural support from pre-purchase due diligence and planning applications through to appeals, protected-species licensing and post-consent mitigation.
Visit the Aspect Ecology website
5. FPCR Environment and Design
FPCR is an integrated environmental and design consultancy offering ecology, environmental assessment, arboriculture, landscape, architecture and masterplanning services. Its ecology teams support residential, commercial, infrastructure, minerals and strategic-development projects across the UK.
Visit the FPCR ecology website
6. Ramboll
Ramboll is a global engineering, architecture and consultancy business with substantial UK environmental and sustainability capability. Its acquisition and integration of Temple in 2025 strengthened its UK services in areas including environmental impact assessment, biodiversity advisory, planning and sustainability.
7. Ecology Solutions
Ecology Solutions provides ecological and environmental support to housebuilders, commercial developers, utilities, infrastructure clients and strategic land promoters. Its services include ecological appraisals, protected-species surveys and licensing, BNG, landscape planning, habitat creation and mitigation works.
Visit the Ecology Solutions website
8. Greenwillows Associates
Greenwillows Associates is an independent ecological and arboricultural consultancy based in Cambridgeshire. It supports projects across central and eastern England with protected-species and habitat surveys, planning advice, arboriculture, habitat creation and practical management work.
Visit the Greenwillows Associates website
9. Middlemarch
Middlemarch is a UK-wide natural-environment consultancy and a wholly owned subsidiary of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. It provides ecology, biodiversity, arboriculture and nature-based solutions for private- and public-sector projects, combining national coverage with regional specialists.
10. Arbtech
Arbtech provides ecology, biodiversity and arboricultural surveys across the UK, with a strong focus on supporting planning applications. Its services include preliminary ecological appraisals, protected-species surveys, BNG assessments, tree surveys and related environmental reports.
How to choose an ecology or environmental consultant
The largest consultancy is not automatically the best fit for every site. Before appointing a firm, consider:
- Project requirements: establish whether you need a PEA, protected-species work, BNG, EcIA, contaminated-land advice or a multidisciplinary environmental team.
- Relevant experience: look for evidence of similar planning, housing, commercial, infrastructure or public-sector projects.
- Location and coverage: local knowledge can help, particularly where a consultant understands the planning authority, local records and regional ecology.
- Survey timing: confirm seasonal survey windows, lead times and whether missing a window could affect the programme.
- Licences and competence: check that the proposed team has the relevant protected-species licences, technical experience and professional credentials for the work.
- Delivery capacity: establish who will complete the fieldwork, reporting, planning responses and any support needed during construction.
- Scope and price: compare like-for-like proposals and identify what follow-up surveys, mitigation, licensing or monitoring may cost separately.
Why ecology matters at the start of a project
Ecological constraints can delay, restrict or reshape a development. Protected species, important habitats, designated sites and biodiversity requirements may lead to:
- changes to the site layout or developable area
- seasonal survey requirements
- planning delays where evidence is incomplete
- protected-species licensing and mitigation
- habitat retention, creation or long-term management
- additional design, monitoring and delivery costs
Early assessment gives the project team more time to avoid impacts, adapt the design and programme any seasonal work. Ecology should not simply stop when planning permission is granted; conditions, licences, ECoW attendance and habitat commitments may continue throughout construction and beyond.
What happens after ecology surveys are complete?
The next step depends on the findings. A preliminary appraisal may be sufficient to show that no detailed species work is needed, or it may identify further surveys, design changes, mitigation, licensing or BNG requirements.
As planning progresses, projects commonly move into or coordinate:
- ground investigation and geotechnical surveys
- groundworks and foundation preparation
- site access and temporary trackway
- temporary buildings and site infrastructure
- welfare and sanitation provision for site operatives
There can be a short window between satisfying pre-commencement requirements and mobilising the site. Coordinating access, temporary infrastructure and welfare provision early can help reduce avoidable delays.
Related guides
- Top Geotechnical & Ground Investigation Contractors
- Top Civil Engineering Companies in the UK
- Top Temporary Trackway Suppliers in the UK
- Top Temporary Building Suppliers in the UK
Frequently asked questions
What is an ecological survey?
An ecological survey records habitats, evidence of species and other environmental features that may affect a proposed development. It helps identify further survey needs, planning risks, avoidance measures and potential mitigation.
When is an ecology survey required?
An ecology survey may be required where a site or nearby land could support protected species, important habitats or designated sites, or where the planning authority needs ecological evidence to determine an application. The correct scope depends on the location, habitats and proposed work.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain, usually shortened to BNG, is an approach that leaves habitats in a measurably better condition than before development. In England, the statutory framework requires most affected developments to deliver at least 10% BNG, subject to the current exemptions and transitional rules. Different planning and biodiversity policies apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Read the current government guidance on Biodiversity Net Gain
How long do ecology surveys take?
Timing depends on the site and survey type. Initial desk studies and habitat appraisals can often begin promptly, but follow-up surveys for certain species must be completed during recognised seasonal windows and may require several visits. Missing the appropriate season can delay a planning application by months.
Can an ecological survey be completed at any time of year?
Some initial assessment work can be undertaken throughout the year, although habitat visibility may vary. Many detailed protected-species surveys have specific seasonal or weather requirements, so early advice is important.
Does planning permission mean the ecology work is finished?
Not necessarily. Planning conditions, protected-species licences, construction-phase supervision, habitat creation and monitoring may still be required before, during or after construction.
Final thoughts
Ecology and environmental assessment can determine whether a site is developable, how a scheme should be designed and when work can begin.
Appointing the right consultant early gives developers and project teams more time to understand constraints, complete seasonal surveys, plan mitigation and progress towards site mobilisation with fewer surprises.
