Keystone Habitats delivers end-to-end habitat creation, restoration and translocation services across the UK. We are a trusted delivery partner on complex and nationally significant projects, known for innovative, pragmatic solutions that respond to real-world constraints.
We operate at the point where ecological design, planning conditions and construction programmes meet, turning commitments into robust, deliverable habitats on the ground. Habitats are the natural environments that support wildlife and plant life.
This includes the creation, enhancement and long-term management of spaces such as grasslands, woodlands and wetlands to strengthen biodiversity and deliver measurable environmental gains.
From planning condition implementation, Biodiversity Net Gain delivery and habitat management and monitoring plans, to longer-term aftercare and the design and implementation of bespoke solutions, Keystone Habitats can help.
Services
Keystone is entrusted to operate safely, compliantly and collaboratively on complex infrastructure programmes. We have proven experience delivering on complex, high-risk programmes, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and major country-wide infrastructure schemes.
Services include
- Working within constrained sites, tight programmes and live environments
- Works under European Protected Species licences
- Integration with Tier 1 contractors and principal designers
- Delivery alongside highways, rail, utilities and energy projects
Keystone safeguards ecological value through sensitive relocation, delivered with careful handling, ecological oversight and long-term success in mind. We specialise in the translocation of habitats where avoidance is not possible, ensuring ecological value is retained and successfully established elsewhere.
Services include
- Soil, turf and seedbank recovery, storage and re-establishment
- Grassland translocation (including species-rich and semi-improved grasslands)
- Hedgerow and linear habitat translocation
- Orchard translocation, including veteran and traditional orchard habitats
- Protected flora translocation, including specialist and sensitive species
Keystone is experienced in delivering resilient aquatic and riparian habitats. We design and deliver wetland and river restoration works that enhance biodiversity, improve natural processes and meet regulatory and planning requirements.
Services include
- Eel passes, fish passes
- Pond creation, restoration and enhancement
- Wetland habitat creation and enhancement
- Design and delivery of wet wildlife corridors
- River restoration and enhancement works
- Bank stabilisation using naturalistic and bio-engineering techniques
- Channel clearance and morphological improvements
- Water control structures
Our team has extensive expertise and confidence implementing licensed mitigation works within live construction environments. We deliver protected species mitigation works under licence, supporting compliant project delivery while safeguarding wildlife.
Services include
- Planning condition mitigation implementation
- Design and installation of artificial habitats
- Bat roosts and barns
- Badger setts
- Otter holts
- Hibernacula and basking banks
- Water vole habitat
- Creation of veteran features on trees for bats
- Dormouse Bridges
- Licensed badger sett closure and exclusions
- Roost exclusion and felling support
- Pond draining and species displacement
We create resilient habitats with long-term value, with specialist ongoing management to secure habitat condition and performance. Keystone’s team delivers a wide range of habitat creation and restoration works designed to meet ecological objectives and planning commitments.
Services include
- Habitat mosaics and wildlife corridors
- Grassland creation and enhancement
- Woodland and scrub establishment
- Wetland and riparian habitat creation
Ecological access and infrastructure designed for sensitive environments, with engineered solutions designed for longevity, safety and ecological sensitivity. Working for a broad range of clients, we design and install green infrastructure that enables access, management and engagement while protecting sensitive habitats.
Services include
- Outdoor classrooms and interpretation features
- Boardwalks, pathways and bridges
- Wildlife observation hides and dipping platforms
We focus on ecologically led clearance and control, often involving delivery in challenging and restricted access environments, such as steep slopes, confined spaces and at-height locations. We provide vegetation management services that support habitat creation, restoration and safe site progression.
Services include
- Invasive non-native species management
- Sensitive vegetation clearance under Ecological Clerk of Works
- Large-scale mechanised clearance
- Technical rope access vegetation clearance works
- Aerial and ground based tree works
Keystone works to protect habitats and species throughout the project lifecycle. We install a wide range of fencing and protective measures to support mitigation and habitat works.
Services include
- Bat and barn owl screening fencing (Bespoke)
- Amphibian and reptile fencing with associated trapping apparatus and refugia
- Mammal fencing (deer, badger, rabbit)
- Stock, post and rail, Heras, site boundary, security and tree protection fencing
Our Advantage
Explore the advantages of working with Keystone and the difference our integrated approach can make to your project.
End-to-End Service
We offer a complete design, build and delivery service, to ensure budget and programme requirements are transparent from conception through
to completion.
Compliance
Through our certifications and accreditations, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, RISQS, NHSS 18&2A, UVDB Achilles, SMAS SSIP, Constructionline Gold and Avetta, we offer complete compliance with
statutory and legislative requirements.
Specialist Equipment
With 20+ years experience of working within ecologically sensitive and typically challenging environments, we have the right tools to minimise our impact, whilst ensuring the quality of outputs.
Nationwide Delivery
Offering a niche service, often with bespoke requirements, we travel nationwide to meet our clients’ needs.