ENGINEERING consultants White Young Green have snapped up Lyndhurst-based waste management experts Robert Long Consultancy for £1.85m.

WYG, which employs 60 people at its offices in Nursling, said European legislation is set to lead to a new generation of waste facilities, and Robert Long is perfectly placed to capitalise.

Robert Long Consultancy was founded in 1984 by Robert Long and has since become a highly-regarded specialist environmental consultancy focusing on waste management, with a turnover of £2.2m and employing more than 40 staff at offices in Hampshire, Cambridgeshire and Yorkshire.

Clients include waste management contractors, mineral companies, landowners and local authorities.

WYG's Southampton office is involved in a broad range of projects in the region and offers expertise in engineering, planning, urban design and transportation.

Doug Ford, managing director of the environmental arm of WYG, said it was an important acquisition.

"The continually developing regulatory changes at national and European level, notably the EU Landfill Directive and recycling targets, will force the provision of a new generation of waste facilities.

"This acquisition offers WYGE a team of highly motivated and highly skilled experts whose specialist skills and experience will add value by significantly strengthening WYG's technical base and capacity, whilst further reinforcing the major benefits of our client-focused multi-disciplinary service delivery right across the group."