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Everything You Need to Know About BSG Ecology
History
BSG Ecology is an independent UK ecological consultancy, providing ecological advice and services across a range of project types, from large infrastructure and development schemes to biodiversity research and conservation work.
The consultancy was established in 1997 and now operates from six offices across the UK. In February 2024, BSG Ecology transitioned to 100% employee ownership. Under this structure, a board of trustees oversees company performance alongside its directors and an employee forum allows staff to contribute to business decisions.
Number of Employees
The company employs over 40 ecologists and arboricultural consultants.
Services Offered
Ecological Surveys
BSG Ecology carries out a range of field-based ecological surveys, including:
- Phase 1 and botanical surveys
- Protected species surveys
- Habitat surveys
- Freshwater ecology surveys
- Thermal imaging surveys
Protected Species Work
The company surveys and advises on a number of protected species, including bats, great crested newts, birds, badgers and invertebrates.
Consultancy Services
BSG Ecology also provides consultancy services to support the planning and environmental management process, including:
- Ecological Impact Assessment
- Biodiversity net gain advice
- Habitat management planning
- GIS-based spatial analysis and mapping
- Habitats Regulations Assessment
- Expert witness services
Ecological Clerk of Works support
Sectors and Clients
The company works across sectors including:
- Residential and commercial development
- Infrastructure
- Renewable energy
- Mineral extraction
- Utilities
- Site management
BSG Ecology also undertakes work for local authorities and private clients on protected species and biodiversity projects.
What Does an Ecology Consultancy Do?
As pressure on the natural environment continues to grow, ecology consultancies play an increasingly vital role in ensuring that development and land use change happens responsibly, legally and with genuine consideration for wildlife and habitats.
An ecology consultancy provides specialist scientific advice. Their clients typically include property developers, house builders, infrastructure companies, local authorities, landowners and architects: essentially anyone whose plans might affect land and the species living there.
The most visible part of an ecology consultancy’s work is conducting surveys. Before a planning application can be submitted for many types of development, the law requires that ecology surveys are carried out to assess the potential impacts on protected species and habitats.
Assessments for planning permission
Ecologists carry out surveys for animals such as bats, newts, badgers, water voles and breeding birds, as well as assessing the condition and significance of habitats ranging from trees in ancient woodland to hedgerows and wetlands.
Survey findings feed into ecological reports and impact assessments, which form a critical part of the planning process. Consultancies advise on how negative impacts can be avoided, reduced, or mitigated and help clients design schemes that meet the requirements of planning authorities and statutory bodies such as Natural England.
Increasingly, ecology consultancies also advise on Biodiversity Net Gain, a requirement under the Environment Act 2021 that new developments in England must deliver a measurable improvement in biodiversity, not just avoid harm. This has expanded the consultancy’s role into long-term habitat creation and monitoring.
Beyond planning, ecology consultancies support land management, ecological restoration projects, environmental impact assessments for major infrastructure and the preparation of conservation management plans.