Fifteen years of ecological expertise dedicated to balancing development with conservation
Primo-Sheen was founded in 2009 by a small group of ecologists frustrated with the poor quality of environmental assessments being submitted to planning authorities. Reports that missed obvious habitat features. Surveys conducted at the wrong time of year. Mitigation measures that looked good on paper but failed in practice.
We believed there was a better way—rigorous field work combined with practical recommendations that actually worked for developers and wildlife alike. That founding principle still guides everything we do today.
From those early days working out of a converted barn in Oxfordshire, we have grown to a team of 23 licensed ecologists operating across the United Kingdom. Our clients range from individual landowners converting farm buildings to major housebuilders delivering thousands of new homes.
The principles that define how we work
Our assessments are grounded in sound ecological science. We follow established survey methodologies and base our conclusions on evidence, not assumptions. When uncertainty exists, we acknowledge it honestly.
Ecological constraints should inform development, not block it entirely. We pride ourselves on finding mitigation approaches that are deliverable, cost-effective, and genuinely protective of wildlife.
Ecological jargon helps nobody. Our reports are written to be understood by planners, architects, and clients—not just other ecologists. We explain what constraints mean and what options exist.
Three ecologists establish Primo-Sheen in Oxfordshire with a focus on residential development surveys in the South East.
Awarded ecological monitoring contract for a 500-home urban extension scheme, demonstrating capability for large-scale projects.
Opened second office in Leeds to serve clients across Yorkshire and the North of England.
Established presence in Edinburgh with specialist team for Scottish planning system and protected species licensing.
Developed in-house expertise in biodiversity net gain ahead of Environment Act requirements, training all staff in metric calculations.
Team of 23 ecologists serving clients across the United Kingdom, from individual planning applications to strategic infrastructure projects.
Experienced ecologists guiding our technical direction
PhD in Conservation Biology. Former Natural England adviser. Leads strategic direction and major client relationships.
Chartered Ecologist with 22 years field experience. Holds multiple protected species licences including Level 3 bat licence.
Oversees project delivery across all offices. Specialist in habitat management and ecological monitoring programmes.
Leads biodiversity net gain consultancy. Published researcher in habitat restoration and ecological impact assessment methodology.