PROTECTED SPECIES EXPERT CRAIG GREENWELL JOINS HARRIS LAMB’S ECOLOGY TEAM

Harris Lamb has enhanced its dedicated environmental consultancy with the appointment of experienced ecologist Craig Greenwell.

Craig joins the business from FPCR Environment and Design Ltd, where he was an Associate Ecologist.

Dr Holly Smith, Director, said: “The environmental arm of the business is flourishing as clients are increasingly aware of the potential impacts of commercial and residential projects and actively seek to mitigate them. 

“We are thrilled that Craig has joined our team, bringing extensive expertise across the board and holding a diverse range of licenses to survey for protected species, which forms an essential part of our departmental workload as we assist clients with their environmental responsibilities. Craig’s knowledge throughout the field will prove a vital asset in supporting our clients and developing our team,” she said.

Craig began his ecology career in 2008, predominantly managing the Natural England Voluntary Bat Warden scheme on behalf of Natural England through FPCR, which led to his passion for working with bats and led to him concentrating on protected species.

Further to becoming a licensed bat worker in 2010, responsible for producing and submitting Natural England bat licence applications varying development sites, Craig went on to become a Registered Consultant for the use of Natural England’s Bat Mitigation Class Licence (CL21), covering small size bat roosts of up to three different species and roosts and providing a much faster and efficient means of getting developers on site. Craig is also qualified to work with badgers, great crested newts and reptiles, having worked with numerous Local Planning Authorities to provide detailed migration strategies for a wide range of species to ensure their protection prior to development works commencing.

Craig said: “I have joined Harris Lamb at an exciting time. The business has been very focused on educating and supporting its clients about ecology while having a full understanding about their goals as developers. This has led to many successful partnerships to see both residential and commercial projects carried out across the country while ensuring protected species are identified and properly managed and cared for prior to any works commencing. 

“With specific windows of opportunity within the ecological calendar to work with such species, my position as a Registered Consultant licensed to work with badgers (CL35) and bats (CL21) will prove a particular bonus as they will enable us to secure a much quicker turnaround for developers compared to the traditional development licence – with time being of the essence for our clients, anything that safely increases the efficiency and process of a project is a welcome addition. I look forward to working alongside the team and overseeing an exciting range of projects across the UK,” he added. 

Craig is a keen sportsman, having spent a decade managing his sons junior football team. He is also a motorcycle enthusiast, both riding sports bikes and attending race circuits across the country, and has just begun to try his hand at archery.