Ecological Planning & Research

What Ecological Planning & Research does

Ecological Planning & Research (EPR) is a UK-based independent ecology consultancy founded in 1989 by Phil Colebourn and staff-owned since a 2013 management buyout. The firm delivers end-to-end ecological services: preliminary and protected species surveys (bats, badgers, great crested newts, dormice, reptiles, otters, water voles), biodiversity net gain assessment using the statutory Defra Metric, Habitats Regulations Assessment, Ecological Impact Assessment, air quality and nutrient neutrality studies, SANG and habitat creation/management, green infrastructure design, BREEAM ecology input, GIS mapping (Esri ArcMap) and in-house drone survey work since 2018. Practical implementation is delivered through an in-house Natural Greenspace Team. It also runs CPD training and a new natural-capital advisory line covering BNG unit transactions and ESG reporting, and from 2024 onward has bundled services with law firm Blandy & Blandy LLP for BNG legal agreements.

EPR operates from offices in Hampshire (HQ), Kent (Eastern Region) and Gloucester, with regional outposts in the south-west and Midlands, and works on projects UK-wide. Customers span residential and commercial developers (Savills, Wates Development, Bloor Homes, Fairview Homes, Duchy of Cornwall on Nansledan), local authorities and statutory bodies (East Hampshire District Council, Natural England, Ordnance Survey), conservation organisations (Herts Wildlife Trust), and institutions such as the Natural History Museum and University of Reading. The firm reports engagements at over 100 public inquiries, more than four square miles of restored habitat, and a 2025 CIEEM Best Practice award for restoring Deptford Pink at Chobham Common.

EPR monetises work almost entirely through professional services fees on a project basis, using direct enterprise sales via senior ecologists and directors and a sales-led motion targeting developers, landowners, infrastructure clients and local authorities; revenue figure is not publicly disclosed. The company holds CIEEM Registered Practice status (2026–2027), ISO 9001:2015, Cyber Essentials, CHAS Standard and SMAS accreditation, and is a signatory to the Terra Carta. Karen Colebourn became Chair in March 2026 following the death of founder Phil Colebourn in July 2025.

Name

Ecological Planning & Research

Legal name

Ecological Planning & Research Ltd

Website

https://epr.uk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ecological Planning & Research is a UK-based, staff-owned ecology consultancy founded in 1989. It provides ecological surveys, biodiversity net gain assessments, Habitats Regulations and Ecological Impact Assessments, expert witness support, and habitat creation services to developers, local authorities, energy and infrastructure clients across the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental and Ecological Consultancy Services

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Permitting Execution Services (Erosion Control, Habitat Mitigation, Compliance) (EUAEADAL)

Keywords

• Ecological consultancy
• Biodiversity net gain
• Habitats regulations assessment
• Protected species surveys
• Habitat creation management

Headquarters

HQ city

Winchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ecological Consultancy Services: Professional ecological consultancy services including ecological surveys, impact assessments, BNG calculations, Habitats Regulations Assessments, protected species licensing, expert witness, and habitat creation/management. Services are provided on a project basis for developers, local authorities, energy companies, and infrastructure clients.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EPR is an independent ecology consultancy delivering end-to-end ecological services for development and infrastructure projects, including ecological surveys, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations, Habitats Regulations Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments, protected species licensing, expert witness representation, and practical habitat creation and management. Services span the full project lifecycle from initial baseline survey through planning-stage assessment to on-the-ground implementation and post-consent mitigation.

Product overview

EPR provides a comprehensive suite of ecological consultancy services organized around a unified platform approach. The core offerings include Ecological Surveys and Protected Species Services as the foundational assessment capabilities, supported by Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, and Ecological Impact Assessment for regulatory compliance. Specialist services such as Air Quality Assessment, Nutrient Neutrality Assessment, and Expert Witness representation address complex planning requirements. The company also offers practical implementation services including SANG Creation and Management, Habitat Creation and Management, and Green Infrastructure Design. Support services include GIS and Mapping, Drone Surveys, and BREEAM Ecology Assessments. A dedicated CPD and Training service and Natural Capital Advisory service round out the portfolio. All services are delivered by a team of over 25 professional ecologists across offices in Hampshire and Kent, with the company maintaining CIEEM Registered Practice status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Natural Greenspace Team: In-house ecological contracting and practical land management team providing habitat creation and management services

Products and services

• Ecological Surveys Comprehensive ecological survey services including Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, National Vegetation Classification, botanical surveys, and protected species surveys for bats, badgers, birds, Great Crested Newts, dormice, reptiles, otters, and water voles. Used by developers, local authorities, and infrastructure clients needing baseline ecological data for planning.
• Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment Assessment comparing existing and post-development habitats using the statutory DEFRA BNG Metric to calculate biodiversity gains, helping developers meet the mandatory 10% BNG requirement for planning applications in England. For developers, landowners, and local authorities.
• Habitats Regulations Assessment Expert assessment of development impacts on Natura 2000 sites, evaluating recreational pressure, air quality, and nutrient neutrality effects, with specialized expertise established through landmark cases like Dilly Lane. For developers and local authorities needing HRA support.
• Ecological Impact Assessment Comprehensive assessment of ecological effects from development projects, from small-scale assessments to Environmental Statement ecology chapters for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. For developers and infrastructure clients.
• Ecology and Air Quality Assessment Specialized assessment of air quality impacts on sensitive habitats, including nationally and internationally designated sites, with strategic decision-making tools developed for Natural England and local authorities. For energy, infrastructure, and development clients.
• Nutrient Neutrality Assessment Assessment and mitigation solutions for nutrient pollution (nitrogen and phosphate) affecting sensitive coastal and riverine habitats, including nutrient budget calculations and bespoke mitigation strategies. For developers, water companies, and local authorities.
• Expert Witness Services Expert witness representation at public inquiries, informal hearings, and Examinations in Public, with evidence given on over 100 occasions on issues including air quality, recreational effects, and Biodiversity Net Gain. For developers, local authorities, and infrastructure clients facing planning inquiries.
• SANG Creation and Management Design, creation, and management of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces to attract recreational visitors away from protected wildlife sites, particularly in the Thames Basin, Wealden, Dorset, New Forest, and Solent regions. For developers needing to mitigate recreational pressure on protected sites.
• Habitat Creation and Management Practical land management and ecological contracting including sensitive site clearance, soft landscaping, species-rich grassland creation, pond creation, hedgerow planting, and protected species mitigation implementation. Delivered by EPR's Natural Greenspace Team.
• Green Infrastructure Design Design and implementation of green infrastructure that delivers biodiversity enhancement alongside flood attenuation and recreational space provision, including landscape planting, woodland creation, and wildflower grassland establishment. For developers and masterplanning teams.
• Drone Surveys In-house drone service for safe, cost-efficient data collection at large or inaccessible sites, providing high-resolution aerial photographs, orthomosaic images, 3D models, and detailed baseline imagery for masterplanning.
• BREEAM Ecology Assessments Cost-effective solutions to maximize BREEAM ecology credits through ecological appraisals, change in ecological value calculations, and practical habitat creation including bat and bird box installation. For commercial developers seeking BREEAM certification.
• Ecology in Masterplanning Integration of ecological survey results into meaningful design team advice, bridging development needs with biodiversity requirements through strategic ecological solutions embedded in masterplanning. For developers and masterplanning design teams.
• SEA and Sustainability Appraisal Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment services for developers promoting sites and local authorities developing plans, including ecological inputs to assessment matrices.
• Ecology Advice for Investment in Natural Capital Ecological due diligence service for natural capital investments, ensuring schemes deliver environmental claims without unintended consequences, including advice on BNG units, carbon offsetting, and ESG reporting. For investors, funds, and landowners active in natural capital.
• Protected Species Services Complete protected species consultancy including survey, mitigation design, Ecological Impact Assessment, protected species licensing, and on-the-ground implementation for species including bats, badgers, great crested newts, dormice, otters, and reptiles.
• CPD Workshops and Training Bespoke training events on ecology in the UK planning system covering BNG, air quality, nutrient neutrality, HRA, EcIA, protected species, and ecological clerk of works, delivered remotely or in-person. For local authorities and professional teams.
• River Condition Assessments Assessment of river and stream condition for BNG calculations using the Statutory DEFRA BNG Metric, involving desk-based assessment, field survey, and specialist online software analysis. For developers and landowners needing BNG inputs from watercourses.
• BNG Legal Advisory Partnership with Blandy & Blandy Integrated service combining EPR's ecological planning consultancy with Blandy & Blandy LLP's legal advisory for developers and landowners navigating BNG legislation, securing legal agreements or conservation covenants, and facilitating sale of surplus BNG units.
• GIS and Mapping Geographic Information Systems service for visualizing, interrogating, and analyzing ecological data, including BNG mapping, air quality contour maps, constraints mapping, and habitat mapping using Esri ArcMap. Supports EPR's wider ecological assessments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4 square miles of new or restored habitats delivered
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Blandy & Blandy LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPR has partnered with leading law firm Blandy & Blandy LLP to offer an integrated service combining ecological planning consultancy with legal advisory for Biodiversity Net Gain. The partnership helps landowners and developers navigate BNG legislative requirements, securing necessary legal agreements or conservation covenants, facilitating mechanisms for sale of surplus BNG units, and providing customized legal documentation tailored specifically to project needs supported by comprehensive ecological assessment.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aspect Ecology: UK ecological consultancy delivering ecological impact assessment, BNG, protected species, and arboricultural services to developers and local authorities - directly comparable service mix and customer base to EPR.
• Temple Group: UK environmental and planning consultancy delivering EIA, HRA, ecological assessment, and sustainability advisory. Comparable service offering and target clients (developers, local authorities, infrastructure) to EPR.
• Ecology Solutions: UK independent ecological consultancy offering comparable services across ecological surveys, BNG assessment, HRA, and protected species licensing. Closest head-to-head competitor to EPR in the mid-sized UK ecology segment.
• BSG Ecology: Independent UK ecology consultancy providing surveys, impact assessment, BNG, and expert witness services. Directly competitive with EPR across housebuilder and infrastructure client work.

Broad incumbents

• Arcadis: Global design and consultancy firm offering ecology, environmental impact assessment, and sustainability services in the UK. Overlaps with EPR on residential, infrastructure, and energy sector projects but typically wins larger bundled mandates.
• Wardell Armstrong: UK multi-disciplinary environmental, engineering, and planning consultancy with an established ecology practice. Provides overlapping BNG, HRA, and EIA services alongside wider technical capabilities.
• RSK Group: UK-headquartered environmental and engineering services group with an ecology and biodiversity practice. Competes with EPR across BNG, HRA, and habitat creation, with greater scale and acquisitive growth trajectory.
• WSP: Global professional services firm with a large UK environmental and ecology practice delivering BNG, HRA, EcIA and EIA on major infrastructure and development projects. Competes with EPR on large, multi-disciplinary mandates where EPR cannot bundle engineering and planning services.
• Mott MacDonald: Global engineering, management, and development consultancy with a sizeable UK ecology and environmental planning practice. Competes with EPR on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and large strategic allocations.

Emerging players

• Lockwood Surveyors: UK ecology and arboricultural consultancy with growing BNG and HRA capabilities. Smaller and more regionally focused than EPR but increasingly competitive on residential developer work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EPRLTD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecological-planning-&-research/?viewAsMember=true

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ecological Planning & Research