Communication seems to be increasingly reliant on emails and texts. Whilst these things are essential for ensuring clear and concise agreements, it is often better to begin a conversation with a telephone call.

We pride ourselves on ensuring that all clients, no matter whether they require a simple Bat and Barn Owl survey to satisfy the LPA, an Low-Impact Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) for a development project, or a full Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) for a large or impactful project will receive a high level of service and will have access to the appropriate level of expertise.

Why choose Ecological Surveys Cornwall?

• We are based within Cornwall and have both employees and a small number of selected sub-contractors to ensure we offer a full suite of Ecological (and Tree Surveys) expertise.
• We take a pragmatic approach to our work and see ourselves as a conduit between biodiversity and development and wherever possible try to work with you, rather than against, that way it is usually possible to assist your development proposal, whilst ensuring biodiversity is both protected and enhanced.
• We understand the biodiversity within Cornwall and will not waste your time and money surveying for species not present: We have heard of a national housebuilder being delayed by 12 months in order to undertake great crested newt surveys, when this species is not present in Cornwall…

Biodiversity Net Gain is still causing a few headaches in Cornwall. Speak to us if you wish to understand the process and the implications. We have also set up a new website specifically to address this issue – Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Click here

Please call us to discuss your requirements and see what makes us different from other ecological consultancies.

The Ecological Surveys Team – 

The Managing Director of Ecological Surveys Ltd: Paul Diamond, is a Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (MCIEEM), a Professional Member of the Arboricultural Association (MArborA) and an Associate of the Landscape Institute (ALI).

Paul holds Protected Species Licences for: Bats (Class 2) Dormice (Class 1), Great Crested Newts (Class 1) and Barn Owl (Class 1). Paul is also an Associate Member of the Landscape Institute.

Sarah Board – BSc (Hons), MSc, MCIEEM – (Principal Ecologist)

30 years + experience in the field enables Sarah to provide advice on a whole range of ecological issues and is particularly knowledgeable on more complex areas such as BNG / HRA / AA / HMMP and habitat creation and restoration

Tom Woo-Glover BSc (Hons), MSc – (Senior Ecologist)

Tom has been with us for around 8 years. He holds a Natural England Survey licence for Bats at Level 2. Tom undertakes a wide range of Phase 1 and Phase II surveys and of course BNG assessments. Tom is responsible for organising his own team and workflow.

Phin Diamond – BACA (Hons) PGCE – (Ecologist)

Prior to joining Ecological Surveys Ltd, Phin was a Primary School teacher for over 25yrs and still enjoys engaging children and others in our native wildlife. Phin produces Mitigation licence applications for bats and dormice and holds a Class 2 Bat survey Licence. Furthermore, Phin is instrumental in producing landscape designs and LVIAs.

Anna Martlew BSc (Hons) – (Ecologist)

Anna has been with us for over 5 years and has been a great addition to the team. Able to undertake a range of ecological and BNG assessments, Anna also holds a Natural England Dormouse licence and can frequently been seen dressed in bright orange on the side of motorways and trunk roads operating as an ECoW.

Georgia Watts MSci – (Ecologist) has been assisting us for over 2 years or so with Phase 2 surveys and report writing initially, but now fully able to undertake site surveys and assessments for a wide range of purposes. Most of Georgias work is on the Isle of Wight and in the Southeast of the country. Georgia, too has been known to don bright Orange and operate as an ECoW

Maddy James BSc (Hons) – (Assistant Ecologist)

has been assisting us for around 2 years or so initially whilst completing her BSc at Exeter. Maddy produces a range of reports and has started guided field work. Maddy is gaining experience with BNG assessments and mapping and in 2026 will further develop a specialism in bat work.

Stef  Woo-Glover BSC (Hons), MSc – (Ecologist)

Stef is currently on maternity leave following the birth of Tom and Stef’s daughter ‘Elowen’ (Cornish word for Elm) in 2025. Prior to this, Stef provided support to Tom in a number of roles including report writing and undertaking phase 2 surveys.

James Roberts BSc (Hons) – (Ecologist)

James has been with for around 6 years and has a background in Conservation and Land Management and holds a Natural England survey licence for Dormice. James undertakes a range of surveys including bat activity surveys and dormouse surveys for development. James can frequently be seen dressed fetchingly in bright orange on the side of motorways and trunk roads operating as an ECoW.

Martin Easton

Formerly an electrical engineer on submarines Martin is now our ‘Man Friday’.

Martin has been with us for over 5 years. He undertakes a range of Phase 2 surveys, habitat management and also looks fetching in bright Orange on the side of motorways and trunk roads operating as an ECoW especially in Devon and Cornwall.

Leon Diamond is our trainee. As the son of Paul, he has been immersed in the natural world from his first steps and assists with various phase 2 surveys and helps look after any wildlife we happen to have in care from time to time.

Leon can often be found alongside Motorways and Trunk roads as a ECoW for National Highways projects.

Back-office staff

A business is only as good as its weakest link, and we are very fortunate in having excellent office support in the form of Vanessa Hunt (Administration Manager) Anne Mannell (credit Control) and Mel Carmody (Office assistant and Paul’s PA).

We are always on the lookout for ecologists who might be able to strengthen our team. If you think you have what it takes, we’d be pleased to hear from you

We also have a team of experienced self-employed ecological contractors, many of who have been with us for a number of years. We are proud that Tony Atkinson 2021 recipient of The Pete Guest Award – Awards – Bat Conservation Trust (bats.org.uk) and in 2024 awarded an MBE in the Kings Birthdays Honours for services to Wildlife and Ecology – regularly works with us.

Our Ecologists, Arborists and Landscape Architects are qualified to at least degree level. Between us we hold protected species licences for bats, dormice, GCN, barn owl, beavers and white clawed cray fish and in addition to these species have significant experience with badgers, water voles and invasive species

Our website is intended to provide information on the considerations and procedures required to meet the Ecological / Arboricultural requirements of the planning process. However, individual planning authorities and often individuals within planning authorities, can differ slightly as to what they expect a planning applicant to provide for validation purposes.

Therefore, no website can replace talking directly to us –

Office: 0800 888 6846 / MD Paul Diamond – Mobile: 07736 458609

We offer a full suite of Ecological Surveys and Arboricultural Surveys/Reports and can assist you with your Landscape Design needs too. Please click on the various links provided (above and below), to access the relevant information. 

We are more than happy to discuss any proposals that you might have, or talk through your Ecological or Arboricultural concerns and discuss your Landscape design needs/requirements.

If you would rather email us details, please do so: admin@ecological-surveys-ltd.co.uk

So, whether you are an experienced Architect / Planning Consultant, a Developer, or a Homeowner looking to undertake a project of whatever size, talking to us at an early stage will cost you nothing, but might save you a lot.