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Geology  Geomorphology Minerals Water Environment
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Cuesta is an independent company, established in 2005 to provide specialist consultancy, research and expert witness services on issues relating to geology, minerals and other aspects of the natural, physical environment.
Cuesta provides these services to the Minerals Industry and other developers, to Local Planning Authorities, and to Government Departments and Agencies throughout the UK.
Cuesta offers specialist expertise and practical experience in:
  Geology
- geological desk studies,mapping & photography
- design of ground investigations, sampling and laboratory testing
- geological interpretation of exposures, trial pits and borehole records
- geodiversity (including guidance on the preparation of geodiversity action plans)
Geomorphology
- landform mapping, photography and interpretation
- analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images
- advice on natural processes and hazards, including:
* river flooding, erosion and sedimentation
 * coastal flooding, erosion and sedimentation
* slope instability, natural subsidence
* impacts of climate change and sea level rise
 Technical Support to Mineral Operators
- 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 'need' and consideration of alternatives
* restoration design to optimise environmental benefits
* mitigation and monitoring of water environment impacts
- technical support at Public Inquiries and Examinations in Public
 Technical Support to Local Planning Authorities 
- Expert Witness services
- geological advice on minerals core strategies, with expertise in:
* sand & gravel aggregates
* silica sand
* crushed rock, including high specification (skid-resistant) aggregates
* armourstone, natural building stone and roofing stone
- advice on apportionment, landbanks and safeguarding for aggregates provision 
- technical support on wider policy development relating to:
* natural landscapes, including landscape change and geo-conservation
* planning response to natural hazards (flooding, erosion, land instability)
* adaptation to climate change (sea level rise, flood frequency, ground conditions)
- independent advice on geological aspects of submitted planning applications
The Water Environment 
- baseline studies relating to groundwater and surface water
- hydrogeological and hydrological impact assessments
- mitigation design
- monitoring advice
Policy-Oriented Research & Reporting, including work for:
- Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) (and predecessors)
 - Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- the Environment Agency
- Natural England (and predecessors)
- Scottish Natural Heritage
- Welsh Assembly Government
- HMRC (Aggregates Levy issues, including Scientific Referrals)
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Cuesta's Director, Dr. Alan Thompson, is a Chartered Geologist and Geotechnical Specialist with 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. |
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