Ecology

Bat surveys

Overview & Legislation

Bats and their roosts are strictly protected by law. It is an offence to:

  • intentionally kill, injure, or take any species of bat.
  • intentionally or recklessly disturb bats.
  • intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to bat roosts.

If you are planning works which may impact bats or their roosts, it is advisable to instruct a suitably licensed ecologist to carry out a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) to determine the likelihood of roosting, foraging and commuting bats being present and impacted, and thus the need for further surveys and mitigation.

Bats may occupy crevices or open voids within buildings, structures and trees, and have changing roosting requirements at different times of the year. Different species also use the landscape and habitats in different ways for foraging and commuting purposes. For this reason, if, following the PRA, your ecologist advises you that bats may use your site and be impacted by the works, there are a variety of different survey types that may be recommended; the type of survey you will require will be dependent on your geographic location within the UK and the nature of the proposed works. The main types of survey you may require, include:

  • roost emergence / re-entry surveys;
  • activity surveys (for foraging and commuting bats);
  • swarming surveys; and
  • hibernation surveys.

Where a bat roost may be impacted or individual bats harmed, a European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licence will be required from the appropriate statutory body before any works impacting bats or their roost can commence. Where planning permission is required in relation to the proposed works, the EPSM licence will only be issued once full planning permission has been granted and other wildlife conditions discharged. The results of the bat surveys will inform appropriate mitigation design and the licence application to Natural England. There are now different licensing options available through Natural England, which we can discuss with you to ensure that the most pragmatic and appropriate method is used for your development.

Note that any works to bat roosts or works that may harm individual bats that are not carried out under licence, or that deviate from the methodology detailed within the licence, are likely to be an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 and Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. Penalties may take the form of unlimited fines and/or prison sentences of up to six months per offence.

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)

The PRA is the standard baseline survey for bats whereby we carry out a ground level inspection of the buildings, structures and/or trees to be impacted by proposed works and assess their suitability to support roosting bats. Surveys of buildings and structures are usually carried out both externally and internally. Each building, structure and tree is then assigned as having high, moderate, low or negligible potential for roosting bats as defined by the latest industry guidance (Bat Conservation Trust, 2016).

We also assess the suitability of the wider site and surrounding habitats for foraging and commuting bats as per the latest industry guidelines (Bat Conservation Trust, 2016).

Where a bat roost is confirmed or potential for roosting, foraging or commuting bats is identified, and impacts to bats and/or a bat roost are likely, further surveys are likely to be necessary to inform appropriate mitigation.

Timings: The PRA can be carried out at any time of year, but where follow-on surveys are needed these are usually seasonally constrained. It is therefore advisable to instruct the PRA as early as possible in the design and development process.

Contact us now with any ecology queries: Claire Munn, Principal Ecologist: claire@davidarcherassociates.co.uk

Our ecological consulting services

PEA

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)

A PEA provides an initial overview of how the proposed development might impact legally protected wildlife habitats and biodiversity.

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HRA

Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)

We can provide ecological information reports to support all stages of the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) for both development projects and local plans.

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Bat surveys

Bat surveys

Bats and their roosts are legally protected, so we recommend carrying out a Preliminary Roost Assessment (scoping bat survey) of trees, buildings and structures that proposed works may impact.

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Dormice surveys

Dormice surveys

If you're proposing works in areas and habitats known to lie within the dormouse range, you may need a presence/likely absence survey to show how you’ll manage any harmful effects on this protected species.

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ECIA

Ecological Impact assessment

An EcIA can be a stand-alone document for any planning application and can help identify any significant ecological impacts on the development project.

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Great Crested Newt surveys

Great Crested Newt surveys

Great crested newts and their habitats are legally protected. These creatures can travel up to 500m from their breeding ponds, so a great crested newt survey should be undertaken when water bodies are nearby.

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Reptile surveys

Reptile surveys

The more widespread reptile species are legally protected. If you’re conducting work that may impact reptiles, you’ll likely need presence / likely absence and population assessment surveys.

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Nesting birds

Nesting bird surveys

If you’re building at a location and time of year when birds may be nesting, we can conduct a nesting bird survey to find out if active nests are present.

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Badger surveys

Badger surveys

If you’re planning works within the vicinity of a confirmed or potential badger sett or in a habitat that is suitable for badger setts to be present, it’s worth contacting us for advice.

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Water vole surveys

Water Vole surveys

If you’re planning works near a watercourse, you may need a water vole survey to assess how they will be impacted. Water vole surveys can be carried out between April and October.

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ECOW

Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW)

We can provide you with an Ecological Clerk of Works service, and field ecologists are on hand to help ensure that your building works stay legally compliant and wildlife habitats aren’t impacted.

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