Bat Survey Longridge: Protected Species Surveys

A bat survey, Longridge, can help to assess whether bats are present in buildings, structures, or trees on development sites. Integrating these surveys into project planning is crucial for addressing bat-related concerns during the planning application process.

Should a local planning authority find that bats are present near a development site and mitigation measures have not been undertaken, they have the legal authority to intervene with the project development to delay or even prevent the project from progressing. This authority is supported by legislation such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

Project developers have a duty of care to ensure that any proposed works do not damage, destroy or obstruct access to roosting bats. As bats are now considered at risk, they are legally protected under UK and European legislation. With the aim of mitigating further damage to the bat population, bat surveys and assessments are often crucial for new developments to assess the mitigation measures needed to obtain planning permission.

In the UK, bat activity is highest during the summer months. Therefore, bat surveys should be undertaken during this period. These assessments help identify roosting sites and estimate local bat populations. If bats are detected during a summer survey, a follow-up assessment in winter may be required to determine if the site serves as a hibernation habitat.

Longridge hosts various species of bats, including the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat, Daubenton’s bat, whiskered bat, and Brandt’s bat.

Typically, the process of conducting a bat survey follows a structured approach that helps inform a bat mitigation strategy:

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): The first type of survey is the Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA), also known as a bat scoping survey. This involves a desk study, reviewing local bat records and databases, combined with a site visit to inspect buildings, trees, or other structures for signs of bats. This evidence may include droppings, feeding remains, and potential access points. The purpose of this survey is to determine whether further, more detailed assessments are necessary.

Bat Emergence and Re-entry surveys:  If evidence suggests that bats may be present, an Emergence and Re-entry Survey is carried out. These surveys are conducted at dusk and dawn, using static bat detectors to record echolocation calls. They confirm the presence of bats, identify species, and locate roosting sites.

Nocturnal bat surveys: A nocturnal bat survey is a type of ecological survey conducted at night to observe and record the behaviour patterns of bat species. As bat activity increases during this time, nighttime surveys efficiently monitor local bat populations, identify species, and assess their habitats.

Hibernation surveys: During the winter months, hibernation surveys are conducted to locate bats in hibernation sites such as caves, mines, tunnels, and tree cavities. Surveyors inspect these locations during the winter months, taking extra precautions not to affect bats in hibernation.

For Good Practice Guidance for Bats, visit the Chartered Institute of Ecology website.

Collington Winter Environmental is an ecological consultancy offering protected species assessment services to all kinds of project developments. We have extensive experience in providing bat ecologist services, including preliminary root assessments, dusk emergence and dawn re-entry surveys and nocturnal bat surveys. Our consultants hold Natural England and European Protected Species licences and perform informative and reliable project assessments each season.

Getin touch today by completing one of our contact forms. Alternatively, for more information on our bat survey services, please contact one of the team on 01204 939608.