Company History

Chris Damant MCIEEM and Sue Damant established Bernwood Ecology in 1998 as a husband-and-wife team. They have been involved in bringing forward the large-scale strategic development of Milton Keynes, in areas such as Oakgrove, Middleton, Hazeley, Grange Farm and Kingsmead. Chris’s input at the early design stages for wildlife conservation provided public greenspace and a water management system – this concept, now called Sustainable [Urban] Drainage Scheme (SuDS) is routinely incorporated into developments today.

As the field of ecology advanced, the company grew. Bernwood Ecology’s team continue to provide expert knowledge of ecology and design principles for wildlife conservation today, exploring innovative changes to the ecological framework, including District-Level Licensing, Biodiversity Offsetting, Biodiversity Impact Assessments, and landscape-scale natural capital solutions. Our work adheres to the highest industry standards set by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), who have recognised Bernwood Ecology as a CIEEM Registered Practice.

Pell Frischmann acquired Bernwood Ecology in 2024, Bernwood Ecology is now part of Pell Frischmann.

Pell Frischmann is a specialist advisory and technical consultancy operating across the built and natural environment.

Both Pell Frischmann and Bernwood Ecology share a commitment to providing the best service possible to clients as well as continuing to support RSBG, the patient capital investment arm of RAG-Stiftung. RAG-Stiftung is a foundation with the long-term public purpose to deal with the environmental and social commitments resulting from the closing of Germany’s hard-coal mining industry.

Our Values

We pride ourselves on offering a bespoke holistic service incorporating ecology, historic and urban landscapes and project management. We work alongside architects, quantity surveyors, hydrologists, landscape architects, archaeologists, private landowners, and many others to provide our clients with all the information required to make informed decisions.

Our specialist knowledge of the local and wider area ensures only the best advice is provided from our extensive experience of managing the landscape in relation to development, historic parklands and important habitats.