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Geology  Geomorphology Minerals Planning Water Environment
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Cuesta is an independent geological and minerals planning consultancy firm, established in 2005 to provide specialist consultancy, research and expert witness services in geology, geomorphology (landforms and natural processes), minerals and the water environment.
Meaning 'escarpment' Cuesta symbolises the link between geology, geomorphology and landscape.
Cuesta, operated by Dr Alan Thompson, and supported at times by a range of professional associates, offers high quality, independent consultancy services to mineral operators and other private developers, to Minerals and Local Planning Authorities, and to Government Departments and Agencies throughout the UK.
Cuesta's range of services, backed by sound expertise and more than 30 years of practical experience, includes:
  Geology
- geological desk studies and field mapping
- robust interpretation of geological data
- geological conservation, including geodiversity action plans
 Geomorphology
- landform mapping and interpretation
- analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images
- investigation of natural processes and associated hazards, including:
* river, coastal and groundwater flooding
 * river and coastal erosion and sedimentation
* land instability, including landslips and natural subsidence
* geomorphological implications of climate change and sea level rise
- geomorphological conservation and enhancement, including links with:
* wider landscape evolution
* archaeology
* biodiversity
- photography of landscapes, landforms and geodiversity features
 Minerals & Planning
- assessment of aggregate resources and reserves
- advice on quarry excavation and restoration designs, including:
* optimisation of mineral recovery to meet end-use specifications 
* optimisation of environmental benefits and other ecosystem services
- input to planning applications and Environmental Statements, including:
* assessment of the 'need' for mineral extraction and consideration of alternatives
* conservation and enhancement of geodiversity (geology, geomorphology and landscape)
* design of mitigation and monitoring for the control of water environment impacts
- specialist advice on minerals policy development, with expertise in:
 * apportionment and minerals safeguarding
* sand & gravel aggregates
* silica sand
* crushed rock, including high specification (skid-resistant) aggregates
* natural building stone and roofing stone
- technical support on wider policy development relating to:
 * natural landscapes, including managing landscape change and geo-conservation
* planning response to natural hazards (e.g. flooding, erosion, land instability)
* adaptation to climate change (e.g. sea level rise, flood frequency, ground conditions)
- independent geological advice on submitted planning applications
- expert witness services at Local Plan Examinations and Public Inquiries
The Water Environment
- baseline studies relating to groundwater and surface water
- mitigation design
- monitoring advice
Policy-Oriented Research & Reporting
with extensive previous experience* in working for:
- Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Department of Communities & Local Government (CLG) (and predecessors)
- Welsh Government (WG) (and predecessors)
- English Heritage (EH)
- Natural England (and predecessors)
- The Environment Agency (EA)
- Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
- Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- The Minerals Industry Research Organisation (MIRO)
* Previous work for some of these Clients (CLG, EA, SNH and HMRC), was undertaken only through Capita Symonds Limited, where Cuesta's Director worked as the Head of Earth Sciences until June 2012 (see below). |
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Cuesta's Director, Dr Alan Thompson, is a Chartered Geologist and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, specialising in minerals planning. He has an honours degree in Physical Geography and Geology, a Ph.D. in Geomorphology, and more than 30 years research & consultancy experience in the practical application of these skills. Following research on rivers, flooding, glacial processes and landscape evolution in northern England, Iceland and Norway, he worked for Liverpool University and later HJ Banks Ltd. on sand & gravel resource assessments in Shropshire, North Wales, Warwickshire, Cheshire and East Yorkshire. In 1989 he joined Travers Morgan Limited (subsequently Symonds Travers Morgan, and Capita Symonds Ltd.), becoming the Head of Earth Sciences in 2000. In 2005 he established Cuesta on a part time basis and in June 2012 left Capita Symonds to focus full-time on Cuesta business. He has been an active member of the Extractive Industry Geology (EIG) conferences organising committee since 2004. He is married with two grown-up children and, since 1996, has undertaken voluntary work for the Scout Association, acting as the Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts in Ashdown District, East Sussex from 2007 to 2013. Click here for Alan's full CV. |
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