Nature in development

Verdestone - land, planning and development solutions

About Verdestone

Bringing clarity and practical support to nature-led solutions in land, planning, and development.

Verdestone was founded to provide clear, independent advice and hands-on support for landowners, developers, and businesses as nature, climate, and sustainability considerations become central to land management and the planning system.

Verdestone operates across the South West and beyond, I combine technical expertise with a personable, collaborative approach. Independence, trust, and pragmatism are at the heart of how I work, ensuring every project is grounded in integrity, partnership, and long-term sustainability.

Matt Whiston

Matt Whiston

With over 25 years’ experience in planning, land development, and environmental consultancy, I help clients unlock opportunities and navigate the evolving UK nature markets.

As an independent consultant, I provide strategic advice, technical consultancy, and project management to deliver practical, nature-led solutions for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), natural capital, climate, and sustainability requirements.

I work with landowners and estates to assess and realise the potential of their land through habitat creation and off-site BNG schemes, and with developers to meet planning and regulatory obligations efficiently and responsibly. I also support forward-thinking businesses in integrating nature-based approaches into their ESG, Net Zero, and Nature Positive strategies.

I believe that successful development and nature recovery can, and should, go hand in hand creating landscapes and places that benefit people, the environment, and generate long-term commercial value.

My Services

Find out more

Who I work with

Bristol Airport Crossman Acquisitions Sylva Sustainability Consultancy Noctua Ecology Woodstock Homes Green Capital Tariff GRE Hobbs Properties Gaiger Construction Fridlington Farms Estate

What my clients say

  • It's been a pleasure working with Matt on exploring UK carbon offsetting projects to inform our Nature Investment Strategy. Matt's knowledge of the sector, combined with his extensive network, opened up a diverse range of options for us to explore. This gave us the ability to evaluate varying levels of risk and opportunities, ultimately strengthening our overall decision-making. Matt is professional, approachable, and very easy to work with and I would highly recommend working with him.

    Hannah Pollard - Head of Sustainability and Social Value, Bristol Airport

  • Mandatory BNG has been a steep learning curve for the housebuilding industry over the last 18 months. Matt’s collaborative and solutions orientated approach have been invaluable in helping us navigate the complexities of the process and identify effective routes to deliver compliant and viable BNG outcomes for our projects.

    Harry Landers - Senior Land and Planning Manager, Woodstock Homes

  • When we acquired Clypse Mooar Farm it was intended as a straightforward property refurbishment and development project set within 150 acres of grazing land. Matt’s expertise has been central to assessing the wider opportunities for land diversification and feasibility of a nature restoration project to deliver biodiversity and carbon benefits that will support developers, corporates and investors looking to fulfil ESG, Climate and Nature commitments. It's an exciting project that is facilitating engagement with the Isle of Man Government, Manx Wildlife Trust and other stakeholders at the forefront of the Island’s emerging Nature Market.

    Alicia Newing - Land and Development Manager, Onchan Estates, Isle of Man

  • Matt’s knowledge and insight to the local market have been central to us being able to assess options and secure compliant and cost effective off-site solutions for biodiversity net gain requirements on our development projects.

    Matt Halstead - Director, Crossman Acquisitions

  • We have worked with Matt for several years and his practical approach and expertise has helped us build our knowledge, measure our greenhouse gas emissions and understand our impacts both operationally and across our wider value chain. His guidance is enabling us to develop our climate and sustainability strategy and implement targeted actions to reduce emissions within our operations and beyond.

    Wayne Cole - Operations Director, Woodstock Homes