Ellendale Environmental undertakes ecology and environmental surveys as part of its consultancy work across the UK, with demonstrable experience in both the public and private sectors. Their roll call of clients is impressive, including Balfour Beatty, Scottish and Southern Energy, Savills and McGregor Construction, amongst others.
Founded in the wake of the recession, it’s telling that they’ve gone from strength to strength even in challenging times. Repeat business and personal recommendations form the greater part of their work, which speaks volumes about the quality of their output and the high regard in which they are held by their clients.
Their portfolio of work encompasses projects of all sizes, including major infrastructure, utility, development, construction and residential schemes, yet they are equally at home in small-scale projects too. One day you may find them at work on an energy-related scheme, another in an architect’s office, the next surveying someone’s back garden.
“Each project is the most important project to us,” explains Stewart Parsons, Founder and Director of Ellendale Environmental. “No matter what the size of the scheme, we will give it the same care and attention.
“We carry out a thorough assessment for each client and make our recommendations based solely on what we find. It is a no-nonsense approach which our clients appreciate, delivering steadfast results and practical solutions for them.
“Planning authorities have a legal duty to protect and enhance biodiversity, so we work with clients to prevent their project from having any detrimental effect on biodiversity, and where some impact is unavoidable, to advise them on the most effective mitigating steps to take.
“We are proactive and solution driven in our work, always understanding the constraints our clients are working within and finding a practical way forward for them, helping them to obtain the planning permission they need.
“Our work includes baseline surveys which determine the characteristics of an area, preconstruction surveys, species and habitat surveys, plus onsite monitoring and mitigation. We have also undertaken consultations with statutory consultees such as The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the RSPB.”
One challenging project in which Ellendale has been involved saw the replacement of 220km of overhead transmission line between Beauly and Denny, supported by 615 400kv steel towers, which were replacing over 800 pre-existing 132kv towers.
The Ellendale team worked with Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks and Balfour Beatty as part of the onsite ecological and environmental management team, assisting them in working within the environmental constraints onsite. Their expert guidance enabled the construction work to continue uninterrupted, whilst ensuring the wildlife and habitats were protected, thereby protecting the client too.
Another notable scheme in which Ellendale were involved was the flood alleviation scheme at Almondbank, worth an estimated £14.7m. Providing advice and support at the construction site to both Balfour Beatty and Perth and Kinross Council, Ellendale’s expertise ensured the project was compliant with all relevant environmental legislation, enabling the project to progress and local wildlife to be protected.
Stewart’s advice remains that the sooner they are involved in a project, the better, yet this isn’t always possible and sometimes they’ve stepped in to assist with a complex planning issue at a much later stage.
One such project was a residential housing scheme at Oaksey, North Wiltshire, where the work of a previous consultant had twice been challenged in the planning process, including at a crucial appeal.
Ellendale Environmental took up the reins, progressing the project to a new planning application – which was successful. We’ll let the client, James Woodhouse, take up the tale here:
“Ellendale Environmental were recommended to me after two failed attempts with other ecologists. They supported me on a complex and challenging planning application in the Cotswolds. I found them extremely professional, easy to work with and experienced.
“They had a passion and deep understanding of ecology whilst being able to work pragmatically with me on my respective project. They delivered for me and the environment!”
Protecting the environment is a priority, yet even in the light of this, difficult planning projects can be brought to fruition if the right steps are taken and one company treading the right path is Ellendale Environmental.
www.ellendale-environmental.co.uk
Info@ellendale-environmental.co.uk
