Design & Consultancy Services
MWE Design Services
At MWE, design is where success begins. With decades of experience shaping the UK’s waterscapes, we provide comprehensive consultancy services for all water-related works—supporting clients and their teams from the earliest stages of a project through to being construction-ready.
Our approach is collaborative, thorough, and informed by real-world construction expertise. Every scheme is developed with a clear understanding of both opportunities and constraints, ensuring practical, buildable solutions that are also environmentally and economically sustainable. We can work as part of the wider client team or lead and deliver.
We specialise in the design of new build or renovation options, for lakes, reservoirs, rivers, wetlands, and civil water infrastructure. Whether enhancing biodiversity, improving water management, or creating a lasting landscape feature, our designs are tailored to the unique needs of each site and client.
How We Work
- Site Analysis & Surveys – We can begin with detailed desktop studies to establish context, including environmental or permitting designations. This is often followed by topographic and bathymetric surveys, soil and silt testing, and condition assessments, with invasive investigations where necessary. Consideration to possible grant funding options will be given at stage one.
- Design Development – From feasibility to detailed design and master plans, we integrate structural, hydrological, ecological, and regulatory considerations, from the outset. We prepare technical specifications, construction budgets and methodologies for, SUDS and drainage solutions, pipework and pumping systems, irrigation solutions, lining designs, aeration and water clarity proposals, bridges, jetties, erosion control, revetment and bank stabilisation solutions, natural flood management and river restoration methods, wetland habitats, water control structures, de silting options and disposal, and much more—always applying value engineering principles, and considering nature-based and bio engineered solutions where appropriate.
- In-House Ecology Expertise – Our ecological consultants work directly within the design team, ensuring environmental considerations are embedded from day one. We also provide ecology reports to support planning and compliance.
- Planning & Compliance – We can manage all necessary planning applications, and permitting needs including Environment Agency approvals, ordinary water course consents and so on . All considerations that arise as part of these applications can be addressed including items like archaeological reporting, heritage considerations, BDNG assessment, hydrological and flood risk compliance, water abstraction and impounding licensing, silt/ dredging waste disposal and reuse classification and permitting, ensuring projects meet all regulatory requirements. Where necessary we will challenge inhibitive decisions that conflict with previous precedents.
- Procurement & Construction Support – We prepare tender documentation and provide contractor lead, practical input throughout design, procurement and construction, often creating more suitable delivery methodologies, helping clients move seamlessly from design to delivery.
Using the latest CAD and 3D modelling software, we visualise and refine proposals, enabling clients and stakeholders to fully engage with designs before work begins on site. And because we both design and build, our solutions are firmly grounded in practical reality—robust, cost-effective, and future-ready.
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