Associate Consultants
Geoff Marsden, FRICS
Geoff has extensive experience in both industry and higher education. Geoff’s initial background is as a qualified mine surveyor at the National Coal Board, with experience gained in technical surveying, ground stability and mineral working rights.
Geoff has also held senior posts at Doncaster College of Technology which included delivery of units in the assisted private study course in quarrying, before moving to Sheffield Hallam University to deliver mineral surveying units including mining law. During his time in education, Geoff also undertook certain consultancy work, which culminated in an eighteen-month vocational secondment in 1989/1990 with Steetley Construction Materials Limited. Geoff retired from education in February 1997, and has since concentrated full-time on consultancy work, particularly dealing with Mining Code and working rights, mining law, mineral estate management, planning applications and project management of EIAs.
Dr. David Blythe
David Blythe has over 35 years' experience of geological and geotechnical work in the mining and quarrying industry. After graduating from Oxford University in 1975, David followed a career in geology with British Coal's Opencast Executive where he was principally involved in the identification, investigation and evaluation of opencast coal resources.
David has detailed knowledge of geology and the related sciences, and has a clear understanding of the relationship between these and the commercial aspects surrounding mining and quarry operations. He has undertaken many site investigations for a variety of end uses including construction, reclamation, redevelopment and highways. He has also carried out a range of geo-environmental, hydrological and hydrogeological assessments for sand and gravel, hard rock and clay quarries throughout the UK.
David is a past chairman of the Northern of England Branch of the Institute of Quarrying, but continues to play an active role as treasurer and committee member. He is also a member of the Institution of Materials, Minerals and Mining, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Yorkshire and Edinburgh Geological Societies and regularly attends field excursions, lectures and seminars.
Sarah Brooks
Sarah is a Chartered Landscape Architect and environmental planner with 18 years' experience working both as an employee and as a freelance professional. Her key skills lie in providing robust Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) and landscape planning advice, and effective project management of multidisciplinary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
She has a sound working knowledge of relevant environmental and planning legislation, and best practive guidance in undertaking LVIAs, EIAs and the preparation of Environmental Statements. She has a comprehensive undertanding of the development and proceurement process, notably the relationship between design, assessment, construction, aftercare and management. She is proactive in identifying sustainable design approaches and appropriate 'environmental fit' to minimise the adverse effects of development.
Our team are highly experienced and qualified to National Standards and are able to provide documents in all formats including MS word, excel, Powerpoint, access, and adobe Acrobat. Drawing and plans are available in all forms of CAD compatible software and PDF.