Atlantic58
Environmental, ecological and project development consultancy based on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
Photo Credit: Jim Hope
About
Atlantic58 (formerly trading as Western Isles Marine and Environment) is an environmental, ecological and project development consultancy based on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Founded in 2015 by Laura Carse CEnv MIEMA, the company provides a range of environmental and planning support services across both the onshore and marine environment.
Our wide portfolio of projects, focused mainly within the Western Isles region, has provided us with extensive local knowledge - not only of the unique setting and ecology of the Hebrides - but also the wider consenting, licensing and development environment. We work collaboratively with local stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for the community, the environment and the developer.
Through both our in-house experience and a network of associates with extensive local knowledge of the Hebrides, the company can support project ranging from small community initiatives to large scale and complex EIA developments. Partnerships with mainland consultancies or developers seeking ‘on-the-ground’ support in the Hebrides are particularly welcome.
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
Spaceport 1
North Uist
DATE: April 2019 - Ongoing
CLIENT: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar / Western Isles Council
Joint project management role in delivering a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to support a planning application for a suborbital rocket launching facility in North Uist.
SERVICES
Environmental Impact Assessment
Over fifteen years’ experience in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with specialist knowledge in renewables (offshore and onshore developments) and aquaculture. Our local knowledge, in situ base, network and skills are well placed to provide valuable project management support for complex EIA projects.
Photo credit: Gwen Evans
Stakeholder Consultation and Management
Experienced in delivering the legal consultation obligations to support planning applications for major developments. We can also support with general stakeholder engagement and public opinion gathering. Our associates include award- winning locally based Public Relations and Marketing specialists.
Environmental Surveys
We undertake surveys and source a range of high-quality specialists with extensive knowledge and experience of working in the Hebrides, many of whom are locally based.
Support can be provided for ornithological, vegetation and mammal surveys in addition to habitat management plans, peat restoration plans and ecological enhancement opportunities.
Our network of subcontractors and associates covers the full range of EIA topics including specialist disciplines.
Photo credit: Jim Hope
Global Information Systems (GIS) and Mapping
To complement environmental analysis, our GIS services provide mapping and spatial analysis services to integrate, interpret and add value to environmental data.
Ornithology Surveys, Analysis and Reporting
In-house survey capability for vantage point, breeding bird and species-specific surveys. We partner with our highly respected associate, Atlantic Ecology (Link) to provide turnkey ornithological advice and assessments based on high quality survey data, local knowledge and experience.
Ecological Surveys
We can provide Phase One Habitat Surveys, National Vegetation Classification Surveys (NVC), Groundwater Dependant Terrestrial Ecosystem analysis and otter surveys.
Ecological / Environmental Clerk of Works
ECoWs ensure developer obligations are met in terms of planning conditions and environmental good practice during the construction period. We are currently building capacity to provide this service by Summer 2022, with accompanying accreditation to the Association of Environmental Clerk of Works (AECoW).
Consultancy / Client Collaborations
We are continually building our in-house skills and assessing opportunities to extend our services. If we do not have a particular skill set to support a client, we can source skills from our network of contacts and associates and frequently work with other consultants to provide support for specialist assessments as required.
We can also provide ‘on the ground’ and back-up support for non-island resident developers or other consultancies delivering large projects, and can offer on-site or other ad-hoc services including peat probing, environmental sampling, and even landscape photography in line with sector best practice.