01
Understand
Your site, proposal, planning stage and available information.
ACP Consultants / Environmental expertiseEnvironmental consultants.
Environmental consultants.
Clearer decisions.
Environmental advice for planning and development across the UK. Understand your site, agree the right assessments and move forward with clear evidence—from early feasibility to planning submissions and conditions.
SCIENCE & EVIDENCEPLANNING & PLACE
For developers & landownersFor architects & planning consultantsFor businesses & public-sector teams
A connected perspectiveSee the whole site.
See the whole site.
Understand the detail.
A development rarely presents just one environmental question. Ecology, land, air and neighbouring uses can all shape a proposal.
We look at your proposal as a whole, then focus on the detail that matters. Together, we clarify the requirements, agree a proportionate scope and explain the evidence your project needs. You stay informed as the work progresses.
Get to know ACP01 / Our expertiseSpecialist knowledge.
Specialist knowledge.
A shared view.
Explore four connected service groups, or go straight to the assessment you need.
Ecology & Biodiversity
Habitats, species, trees and biodiversity net gain.
02Environmental Assessments
Air, noise, odour and contaminated land.
03Planning & Development
Environmental and health impact assessment.
04Climate & Sustainability
Climate resilience, energy and sustainability.
02 / Find your starting pointWhat does your
What does your
project need?
Have a council request, an early layout or an unfamiliar assessment name? Choose the issue that matters to your project. We’ll point you towards an existing ACP service and useful information to share.
This guide helps you find relevant information. The scope of an assessment depends on your site and planning context.
Explore all servicesChoose a topic, then select Show guidance.
Browse assessment guidance
Ecology & Biodiversity
Understand habitats, protected species and trees before fixing the site layout.
Environmental Assessments
Investigate pollution, amenity and ground conditions with evidence matched to your site.
Planning & Development
Bring wider environmental and health considerations into development decisions.
Climate & Sustainability
Address climate effects, resilience, energy and sustainability within your proposal.
Ecology surveys
Start by understanding habitats, species and the likely effects of your proposal. Early appraisal can identify further survey requirements.
Biodiversity net gain
Explore habitat assessment and biodiversity gain planning in England. BNG evidence has a different purpose from protected species surveys.
Bat surveys
Building works, tree works and changes to lighting can raise bat-related questions. Survey requirements depend on the features affected.
Reptile surveys
Grassland, scrub and other suitable habitat may need closer investigation where works could affect reptiles.
Tree surveys
Understand trees on and beside the site before fixing access, building positions and construction space.
Air quality assessment
Consider air quality affecting the site and emissions associated with the proposal.
Noise surveys and assessments
Explore sound from neighbouring uses or the proposed activity, and evidence to inform design or planning conditions.
Odour assessment
Consider potential odour sources and their relationship with nearby sensitive uses.
Contaminated land assessment
Historic land uses and the proposed development help determine the appropriate investigation sequence.
Environmental impact assessment
Explore the assessment of wider environmental effects where the development and applicable EIA requirements call for it.
Health impact assessment
Understand how a proposal may affect health and wellbeing, and the evidence requested by the planning authority.
Climate change impact assessment
Consider climate effects and resilience in the context of your proposed development.
Energy and sustainability statements
Explore energy and sustainability evidence that can inform design and respond to planning policy.
A council request or planning condition
Start with the exact wording. The required evidence depends on the proposal, location and planning stage.
Several assessments or an uncertain starting point
A site can raise several environmental questions. Use the service directory to explore the disciplines, then discuss a proportionate scope.
Need help interpreting a request? Discuss your project with ACP.
03 / How we work
Clarity at every stage.
Start with the question. Agree the scope. Build the evidence. Understand the next step.
02
Define
Agree the assessment scope, deliverables, fees and programme.
03
Assess
Undertake the agreed surveys, analysis and technical reporting.
04
Support
Discuss findings and any agreed follow-up with your project team.
04 / Specialist guidanceNature is part
Nature is part
of the brief.
Early ecological advice can help you understand a site’s habitats and protected species considerations before design decisions become fixed.
Start with ecology survey advice
Biodiversity Net Gain
Explore ACP’s dedicated guidance and services for habitat surveys, biodiversity assessment and gain planning in England.
Explore Biodiversity Net GainBat surveys
Find a starting point for survey scoping, buildings and trees, and the information needed to plan the next stage.
Explore bat survey services05 / About ACP · Our valuesOur core values.
Our core values.
Built on TRUST.
Your priorities matter. So does the environment your project will shape.
Good advice makes the requirements understandable. We explain the scope, share the findings and help you consider the next step—so you can make decisions with a clear view of the evidence.
More about ACPClear about requirements.
Careful with the evidence.
Committed to responsible decisions.
Teamwork
We work closely with you and your project team, sharing information and agreeing the next steps together.
Respect
We listen to your priorities and consider the people, places and habitats affected by your proposal.
Unity
We bring our environmental disciplines together around a shared brief, so advice connects across your project.
Sustainability
We consider environmental effects and practical ways to reduce harm, with long-term outcomes in mind.
Transparency
We explain requirements, scope and findings clearly, including uncertainties, limitations and any further work needed.
You should understand the advice you receive.
Ask questions at any stage. We will explain the agreed work and its implications in plain English, alongside the technical detail your project team needs.
06 / Insights & guidance
Browse all insights Make room for understanding.
Understanding ecological surveys
Explore how site surveys inform biodiversity protection and development.
Read the guideAir quality and our environment
A starting point for understanding air quality and environmental assessment.
Read the guideUnderstanding environmental sound
Explore the role of noise surveys in understanding a site’s surroundings.
Read the guide07 / A useful first conversationTell us where
Tell us where
you’re starting.
Early ideas, a planning application or a council request—start with what you know. We’ll help clarify the environmental questions to discuss.
Talk through your projectYou do not need a complete brief before getting in touch.
Your site
The location and, if available, a boundary or site plan.
Your proposal
What you want to build, change or investigate.
The question
Any council comments, planning conditions or existing reports.
Your timing
The next decision or deadline you are working towards.