Our Team
With the exception of joint work as a Co-Director of DTA Publications Ltd in respect of the publication and maintenance of The Habitats Regulations Assessment Handbook, the company remains entirely independent of all other planning and environmental consultancies, commercial businesses and sectoral interests.
David Tyldesley & Associates (DTA) had been a leading consultancy since 1983 but, following 31 years of professional practice, and after having firmly established the DTA brand, David Tyldesley FRTPI, FCIEEM, FRSA took the decision to step back from leading on consultancy and training work. Having worked with David at DTA for many years, and latterly being an Associate of DTA, Caroline Chapman PhD FCIEEM set up ‘DTA Ecology Ltd’ to continue the work of DTA, with David Tyldesley maintaining an interest and taking on a more strategic role as an Adviser to DTA Ecology Ltd.
Included in the
ENDS Report Powerlist 2023 of the 100 environmental professionals who have made the greatest impact in the UK,
Dr Caroline Chapman is the Director of DTA Ecology Ltd, working primarily on the interpretation and application of the Habitats Directive and, in particular, Habitats Regulations Assessment of plans and projects. Caroline previously worked in these fields as an Associate at David Tyldesley & Associates and, prior to this, at a senior level for Natural England (and its predecessor body English Nature). Alongside her work with the Habitats Regulations, Caroline was also the national specialist for air pollution during her time at Natural England, with associated expertise in air pollution effects on ecosystems. Caroline began her working career as an Area Habitats Directive Co-ordinator for the Environment Agency.
In 2020 Caroline was elected as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management for her significant contribution to the profession. Nominated by her peers, the Institute specifically recognised her expertise in Habitats Regulations Assessment and the science of pollution effects on habitats.
Christina Cork joined DTA in 2020 with a long and established track record working for Natural England’s Protected Area teams. At Natural England she was responsible for the provision of advice on high risk complex casework in addition to the development of strategic improvements to protected areas regulation. Most recently she provided clear, timely and accurate regulatory advice to Government, on the amendments to the Habitats Regulations, to ensure domestic legislation remained operable after the UK exited the European Union. Christina has a proven track record in building effective relationships with diverse stakeholders and was responsible for national stakeholder management for protected sites and species regulation across multiple sectors. Operating at EU level, Christina was the invited UK representative to the European Commission’s expert group on the management of Natura 2000.
Alastair Burn is an experienced ecologist and ecotoxicologist. He began his career with research into terrestrial invertebrate ecology, working on Antarctic arthropod ecology and then on the effects of pesticides on beneficial arthropods. Alastair then worked for the National Farmers Union including work with partners in Europe prior to the introduction of Directives on pesticides and plant health.
Alastair joined English Nature (later Natural England) in 1992. During the 1990s Alastair managed English Nature’s work to designate Natura 2000 sites under the Habitats Directive and on the Environment Agency’s review of consents affecting European sites, including air pollution, water abstraction and water quality impacts.
Alastair went on to lead NE's work on freshwater, including River Basin Planning under the Water Framework Directive and water industry Periodic Reviews. Alastair has recently focussed on pollution impacts, leading NE's work on water quality, air quality and pesticide impacts on wildlife, including the development of 25 YEP indicators for chemical pollution. He has been closely involved in the development of Nutrient Management Plans and Diffuse Pollution Management Plans for European Sites as well as management of air quality impacts.
Alastair retired from Natural England in 2022. He continues to work on environmental risk assessment as a part-time consultant to David Tyldesley Associates. He was awarded an MBE in 2021 for his work on nature conservation in Cambridgeshire.
David Tyldesley although not involved in the day-to-day consultancy work continues to be available to advise DTA Ecology Ltd if necessary. Formerly he was the Principal of David Tyldesley & Associates since its establishment in 1983. He is a Chartered Town Planner, a qualified Landscape Architect and the only person to have been admitted to the fellowship of both the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management ( CIEEM) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to both fields.
Becca Holloway is our Office Manager and provides multi-skilled support across the Company including IT, quality management, financial and administrative duties.
DTA Ecology is a small consultancy and our size is our strength. Your work will never be delegated to junior staff and you will always have a single point of contact. In prioritising the quality of work over quantity the company's ethos is to turn down work where necessary to ensure that we can give each individual job the attention and time which it deserves. Where a job might require additional resource, DTA Ecology often works in association with a wide variety of other consultancies to provide the most effective team to meet client requirements for each job.
We regard our size as our strength; your work will never be delegated to junior staff and you will always have a single point of contact.
DTA News:
Dr Caroline Chapman is delighted to have been listed in the ENDS Report 2023 Power List of the 100 environmental professionals in the UK who have made the greatest impact over the past two years.One nomination said: “Caroline goes about her work quietly but is a giant in the sector.”