Environmental consulting

Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm

RSK Biocensus supported restoration efforts for the Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm, which consists of 91 turbines off the Norfolk coast. Two export cables were laid across The Wash, a protected Ramsar site and a vital salt marsh site for biodiversity, carbon capture and coastal protection.

RSK designed and implemented annual botanical monitoring and restoration measures, including silt traps, water management and planting locally sourced plant plugs, reducing bare mud areas by over half within a year. Surveys were conducted along cable routes to assess salt marsh vegetation using quadrat sampling and aerial imagery, in collaboration with RSK Orbital.

As a result, a ten-year strategy to monitor long-term vegetation recovery and assess the condition of special area of conversation/site of special scientific interest features was provided. RSK’s comprehensive approach enabled efficient and safe restoration, with no regulatory or stakeholder complaints.

AMAN renewable energy project, Mauritania

RSK Biocensus is supporting the $40 billion AMAN project in Mauritania, one of Africa’s largest green hydrogen initiatives. The project will harness 18 GW of wind and 12 GW of solar capacity to produce 1.7 million tonnes of green hydrogen or 10 million tonnes of green ammonia annually, with facilities for desalination, hydrogen production and shipping.

RSK conducted early stage ornithological assessments to identify potential constraints, including protected areas and migratory bird flyways along the East Atlantic and Mediterranean/Black Sea routes. Key activities included vantage point surveys, a comprehensive review of ornithological data and baseline reporting to guide future impact assessments and surveys.

These efforts will inform the project’s approach to protecting bird populations and managing potential environmental impacts, ensuring responsible and sustainable development.

Triton Knoll Electrical System (TKES) archaeological mitigation

Headland Archaeology provided archaeological mitigation for the Triton Knoll Electrical System (TKES), a 60 km onshore cable system running from Anderby Creek to Bicker in Lincolnshire. The work revealed a complex history of coastal landscape use from over a millennia, including significant Roman and post-Roman activity, such as Saxon and medieval field systems.

Headland’s team conducted excavations at 24 sites along the cable route, uncovering salt production sites dating from the Iron Age to the Roman period. The discoveries included briquetage fragments, cooking ovens and settlement evidence, with plant remains such as coriander seeds preserved in cooking pits.

Three Roman burials were found, one of a young female buried with 24 hobnails in a wooden coffin, a potential symbol of status. Post-excavation analysis is ongoing, with results being prepared for the final report and shared with local communities through public events.

Hydrogen storage

Axis provided owner’s engineering services to Centrica Energy Storage+ (CES+) in support of its energy transition projects, focusing on redeveloping the rough gas storage reservoir for hydrogen storage. Axis’s role included developing governance frameworks, ensuring organisational readiness and delivering comprehensive project management across multiple disciplines.

The scope of support covered execution strategy development, cost estimating and technical assurance in areas such as subsurface, process, subsea and pipelines and electrical systems. Axis also provided economic modelling, risk analysis and schedule planning, working closely with the project’s integrated team during the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase to ensure the project’s successful progression towards hydrogen storage implementation.

CO₂ transportation and storage

Axis undertook a feasibility study for CO₂ transportation and storage to support a storage licence in the UK Southern North Sea. The study focused on key areas such as concept framing, identification and screening, ensuring thorough documentation with an audit trail. Axis provided rigorous shipping logistics modelling to assess the capacity and size of the CO₂ carrier fleet, alongside process simulation and optimisation for both vapour and liquid injection.

The study also defined technical options, estimated CAPEX, OPEX and ABEX costs and conducted detailed economic modelling and sensitivity analysis to evaluate project viability. The study offered comprehensive insights into the CO₂ transportation and storage infrastructure, laying the groundwork for successful licence application and implementation.

Drakes Meadow redevelopment, Swindon

DWD secured planning permission for Ambit Developments and Roadside Real Estates to redevelop a key employment site in Drakes Meadow Business Park, Swindon. The approved project features two modern warehouses (Class B2/B8) with ancillary offices, a drive-thru facility, parking, access, landscaping and infrastructure improvements.

The development will provide high-quality industrial space to support local employment opportunities, while the drive-thru facility will cater to both staff and visitors to the business park. DWD led the planning process from pre-application through to approval, working closely with Swindon Borough Council and a multidisciplinary project team, including architects, ecologists and transport consultants, to ensure successful project delivery.

LeMond Carbon UK manufacturing plant, Grimsby

DWD secured planning permission on behalf of LeMond Carbon UK for a state-of-the-art carbon fibre manufacturing plant at Energy Park Way, Grimsby. The facility will support critical industries such as wind turbine blade production and hydrogen storage, both key to the UK’s net zero goals.

LeMond Carbon, founded by three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, is commercialising new carbon fibre production technology developed in partnership with Deakin University, Australia. This technology reduces production costs by 30% and carbon emissions by 50%.

DWD managed the planning process from instruction in 2024 to successful approval in January 2025, helping establish a vital indigenous carbon fibre supply for the UK.

NHS Sustainable Estates and Facilities Solutions Framework

EiB supported our client in securing a £500 million, four-year framework agreement with NHS Commercial Services, targeting nine lots on the NHS Sustainable Estates and Facilities Solutions Framework. The multidisciplinary bid, managed over 8 weeks, required coordination between more than 20 business units. Our client’s success highlights their commitment to sustainability and efficiency in healthcare facilities. The framework aims to assist NHS and public sector bodies in achieving carbon reduction goals and improving healthcare environments. It provides a streamlined, legally compliant procurement route, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

EiB led strategic bid management, fostering collaboration across business units. The team crafted compelling responses, particularly for the environmental consultancy lot, emphasising green estates and low-carbon technology. The collaborative approach resulted in high-scoring submissions (76–100%) and secured a direct award route, positioning our client for future public sector opportunities.

Newcastle Great Park

SCP provided planning and technical support for the £10 million Newcastle Great Park scheme, located to the north-west of the A1 motorway. The development will accommodate up to 800 dwellings, plus school and retail facilities.

SCP’s role included feasibility studies, transport and flood risk assessments and highway design for a 2 km link road. The team also managed the detailed design and construction supervision of early highway and drainage works.

SCP conducted risk assessments and mitigated constraints, including a bridge, culverts and overhead lines. The team produced reports with options and costings, acted as project manager and incorporated environmental and ecological considerations to ensure minimal impact on the surroundings. SCP also led the design of sustainable drainage system (SuDS)-compliant drainage and worked with a subconsultant team on noise, air quality and ecological assessments. The project was delivered on time and within budget.

Taylor Wimpey waste management audits

RSK Geosciences’ Waste and Resources Team was commissioned by Taylor Wimpey South Thames to conduct waste management audits across multiple construction sites. The audits assessed current processes, identified best practices and highlighted areas for improvement to help Taylor Wimpey achieve its waste prevention, sustainability and net zero carbon targets.

The audits included site visits to five active construction sites and the regional head office. RSK’s senior waste management consultant conducted discussions with site managers to review waste management techniques, data reporting and training, followed by a site walkaround to assess waste containers, signage and material management systems. The final report provided a comprehensive overview of the audits, including actionable recommendations to enhance waste management efficiency, facilitate the implementation of best practices and support Taylor Wimpey’s sustainability goals. Key client benefits included a holistic view of waste management practices and the identification of improvements and clear steps to meet waste reduction targets.

Logistics North development

RSK Geosciences provided comprehensive geotechnical and environmental support for the redevelopment of the Cutacre surface mining site, near Bolton, UK, which became the Logistics North hub. RSK’s services included initial site reviews, detailed assessments of geotechnical and chemical properties of backfilled materials, long-term surcharge loading tests to monitor settlement and groundwater and soil gas monitoring to ensure no adverse effects from mining activities. A hydrological assessment was also conducted to divert two streams running through the site.

RSK’s involvement also extended to the design, supervision and validation of earthworks, site-specific ground treatment and remedial work, including the treatment of old opencast backfill and consolidation of recent opencast areas. The team located and capped old mineshafts, consolidated shallow coal seams and provided tailored ground treatment solutions. The success of the project contributed to the establishment of Logistics North, the largest live development site in North West England, which has created over 1500 jobs and is set to support up to 5000 jobs upon completion. The site now hosts major retailers and manufacturers, playing a key role in the region’s logistics and commercial sector.

National Tenant Survey

BMG Research was commissioned by the Regulator of Social Housing to conduct the National Tenant Survey (NTS), capturing feedback from low-cost rental accommodation (LCRA) tenants and shared owners. The survey provides the regulator with independent insights into tenant satisfaction, helping to understand the satisfaction levels and tenant satisfaction measure (TSM) perceptions.

The survey found 70% of LCRA tenants are satisfied with their landlord’s service. Experiences with responsive repairs and home maintenance were the top drivers of satisfaction for LCRA tenants. Shared owners reported lower satisfaction, citing issues with rent, service charges, repairs and service. Complaints handling showed the lowest satisfaction, with a fifth of complaints fitting under the Complaint Handling Code. Statistical analysis indicated tenant experiences with services have a stronger influence on overall satisfaction than demographics. The importance of positive tenant experiences in core services to drive satisfaction was also highlighted. Research Director Jack Harper noted the NTS provides insight into tenant experiences, revealing areas of service needing improvement for landlords.

Asbestos management review for local university

Consultants from MSS Group conducted an extensive audit for a local university to assess how asbestos is managed within the organisation and across its supply chain. The analysis, aligned with current regulations and best practices, aimed to provide guidance on any necessary changes to improve compliance.

The audit focused on ensuring the university’s asbestos management approach was compliant with legislation and regulation; coherent, with responsibilities clearly defined across the organisation; and deliverable, considering available resources to meet regulatory and best practice standards.

Following the delivery of a summary report and presentation, the next step is to collaborate with the university’s teams to implement the necessary changes, prioritised based on timing and budget considerations.