EP ECOLOGY LTD

What EP ECOLOGY LTD does

EP Ecology Ltd is a specialist ecological consultancy founded in 2020 by Erik Paterson CEcol MCIEEM, providing ecological surveys, assessments, and biodiversity advice for development and conservation projects across Scotland. The firm operates from a consultancy office in Blantyre (South Lanarkshire) with a registered office in East Kilbride, and serves developers, landowners, architects, planning consultants, local authorities, housing associations, and individual homeowners requiring ecological input for planning applications or compliance with Scottish wildlife legislation. The company holds CIEEM Registered Practice status and operates a UKAS-accredited business management system compliant with ISO 9001:2015, 14001:2015, and 45001:2018.

The firm's service portfolio spans Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), and Habitats Regulations Appraisals (HRA), complemented by protected species surveys covering bats, mammals (badger, otter, water vole, beaver, red squirrel, pine marten, wildcat), great crested newts, reptiles, birds, and invasive weeds. Plant and habitat survey services include Phase 1 Habitat classification, NVC/UKHab classification, and peat depth surveys. Post-consent services include Biodiversity Enhancement Plans, Mitigation Design, Habitat Management Plans, Habitat and Species Protection Plans, Protected Species Licensing via NatureScot, and Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW). Field methodology relies on established ecological survey techniques compliant with CIEEM best practice and NatureScot guidelines, including eDNA testing for great crested newts, bat detector surveys, camera trapping, and standard Phase 1 Habitat classification — no proprietary technology platform is disclosed.

Commercially, EP Ecology runs a direct sales-led model with bespoke project-based pricing. PEA engagements start at approximately £850+VAT, basic species surveys such as Preliminary Roost Assessments start at circa £600+VAT, and complex multi-species or habitat projects can exceed £1,500+VAT. The firm differentiates on a 10-working-day report turnaround versus the industry-standard 4-6 weeks and leverages referral relationships with architects, planning consultants, and developers, supplemented by SEO-optimised digital presence and direct enquiry channels (phone, email, website form). Revenue is derived entirely from one-time professional service fees with no subscription or recurring component, and no revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

EP ECOLOGY LTD

Legal name

EP Ecology Ltd

Website

https://epecology.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EP Ecology Ltd is a Scotland-based ecological consultancy founded in 2020 that provides surveys, assessments, and biodiversity advice to developers, planners, architects, local authorities, and homeowners to support planning applications and regulatory compliance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ecological Consultancy Services

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Terrestrial Ecology & Habitat Surveys (EUAHAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental DNA (eDNA) & Advanced Biodiversity Methods (Bioacoustics, Camera Traps) (EUAHAHAM), Natural Resource Inventory & Forest/Woodland Assessments (Timber, Vegetation, Invasives) (EUAHAHAG), Ecological Restoration Planning & Monitoring (Habitat, Wetland, Stream) (EUAHAHAF)

Keywords

• Ecological consultancy services
• Protected species surveys
• Ecological impact assessments
• Habitat surveys
• Biodiversity enhancement planning

Headquarters

HQ city

East Kilbride

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ecological Survey Services: One-time professional service fees for ecological surveys and assessments including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, protected species surveys (bats, badgers, otters, newts, reptiles, birds), habitat surveys, and invasive species surveys. Pricing varies by survey complexity and site requirements. Reports are delivered within 10 working days.
2. Ecological Impact Assessments: Detailed Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitats Regulations Appraisals, and associated reporting for planning applications. Pricing starts at approximately £850 + VAT for PEAs, with complex projects ranging higher.
3. Post-consent and Licensing Services: Protected species licensing support, Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW), habitat and species protection plans, and habitat management plans during construction phases. These services support development projects through to completion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EP Ecology provides specialist ecological consultancy services across Scotland, conducting protected species surveys (bats, badgers, otters, great crested newts, reptiles, birds), habitat assessments (Phase 1, NVC/UKHab, peat depth), and Preliminary Ecological Appraisals / Ecological Impact Assessments to support planning applications. The firm also delivers biodiversity enhancement plans, mitigation design, protected species licensing support, and Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) services during construction.

Product overview

EP Ecology is a specialist ecological consultancy offering a comprehensive suite of ecological survey and assessment services across Scotland. The core offerings include Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), and Habitats Regulations Appraisals (HRA) for planning applications. These are supported by targeted protected species surveys covering bats, mammals (badger, otter, water vole, beaver, red squirrel, pine marten, wildcat), Great Crested Newts, reptiles, birds, and invasive weeds, as well as plant and habitat surveys including Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, NVC/UKHab Classification, and Peat Depth Surveys. The company also provides biodiversity integration services (Biodiversity Enhancement Plans, Mitigation Design, Habitat Management Plans) and post-consent support (Habitat and Species Protection Plans, Protected Species Licensing, Ecological Clerk of Works). Services are delivered from the Blantyre office with Scotland-wide coverage, featuring a 10-working-day turnaround on most reports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 working day report turnaround
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• EcologiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEP Ecology is a member of Ecologi, supporting global carbon offsetting through tree planting and emissions reduction initiatives. This reflects the company's commitment to environmental responsibility and mitigating their own carbon footprint.
• Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)coreOthersEP Ecology is a CIEEM Registered Practice, indicating adherence to professional standards in ecological consultancy. The company founder Erik Paterson is a Member of CIEEM (MCIEEM) and Chartered Ecologist (CEcol).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• WSP: Global professional services firm with a substantial UK ecology team embedded within its environment and planning practice. Delivers ecological input for major infrastructure, residential, and energy projects — overlapping with EP Ecology at the upper end of the Scottish market.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure consultancy with a UK-wide ecology practice supporting major planning applications, EIA, and biodiversity net gain. Competes for the largest Scottish schemes where EP Ecology is currently capacity-constrained.
• SLR Consulting: Global environmental consultancy with a sizeable UK ecology practice offering EIA support, protected species surveys, and habitat assessment. Competes with EP Ecology on larger projects and provides a benchmark for what scale looks like in the same service category.
• RSK Group: Large UK environmental and engineering consultancy with a dedicated ecology practice delivering surveys, impact assessments, and biodiversity services. Overlaps with EP Ecology on planning-stage ecology but serves a much broader portfolio across infrastructure, energy, and built environment.

Direct peers

• Ecology Solutions: UK-based specialist ecological consultancy providing Phase 1 habitat surveys, protected species work, and ecological impact assessments for developers and planning consultants. Closely comparable in scale and service mix to EP Ecology.
• BSG Ecology: UK-wide ecological consultancy providing bat, GCN, reptile, and bird surveys alongside EcIA and biodiversity planning. Directly comparable service offering and client segments to EP Ecology, but with a larger multi-office footprint across England and Wales.
• Baker Consultants: UK ecological consultancy providing protected species surveys, habitat assessments, and arboricultural services. Comparable service offering with similar mid-market developer and homeowner client base.
• CSA Environmental: Edinburgh-based environmental consultancy delivering ecology, hydrology, and planning support across Scotland. Geographic and service overlap is strong, making it a direct regional competitor for Scottish planning and infrastructure work.
• Greengage Environmental: Independent UK ecological consultancy offering protected species surveys, habitat assessments, and biodiversity net gain services. Closely comparable service suite and client segments to EP Ecology, particularly on residential and small commercial developments.
• Thomson Environmental Consultants: One of the UK's largest independent ecology consultancies offering protected species surveys, habitat assessments, and ecological impact assessments. Closely comparable in service mix and target customer base (developers, planners, local authorities), but operates at significantly larger scale and UK-wide.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCz6bnnbxlQBSSxyyRhce3CA
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/EP-Ecology/61554666289160
• Instagraminstagram.com/ep_ecology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ep-ecology

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 EP ECOLOGY LTD