Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment For Development
Preliminary roost assessments are conducted on development sites to evaluate the area’s suitability for roosting bats, foraging, and commuting. These assessments are commonly required to support a planning application and secure planning permission.
Local planning authorities will typically require a preliminary bat roost assessment if a proposed development is likely to affect the surrounding environment or block access to potential bat habitats. These assessments are carried out in buildings, structures, or trees to identify potential bat presence and may also be included in a preliminary ecological appraisal of the site.
Bats are protected by law in the UK, classifying them as a protected species. Consequently, if these assessments indicate that bats may be present, appropriate bat mitigation and compensation measures must be implemented before any development work can proceed.
Types of bats found in the UK
There are many species of bats which are likely to be found in the UK. These include common pipistrelle bats, Noctule bats, soprano pipistrelle bats, Daubentons’ bats, Whiskered bats, Brandts’ bats and Nathusius’ pipistrelle bats.
A specific species of bat in an area can be determined by examining a DNA sample found in bat droppings as part of a preliminary roost assessment (PRA).
What is the preliminary bat roost assessment process?
Unlike other types of bat surveys, preliminary bat roost surveys can be undertaken at any time of the year. These assessments typically coincide with a desk study, which aims to review and collate existing information about the development site and its surroundings. Ecological records will be examined to establish whether there have been indications of bat presence previously.
For buildings and structures, both internal and external assessments should be conducted. This typically involves inspecting areas such as boiler rooms, cellars, and loft voids. Surveyors will also check for access points into the building that could indicate bat activity. Evidence of bat presence that surveyors look for includes feeding debris, bat droppings, and structural features that could support roosting bats.
Preliminary bat roost assessments for trees tend to be more accurate when conducted from an elevated position, as features suitable for roosting bats are often difficult to assess from the ground.
The results of these assessments will categorise the suitability of the site for roosting bats into one of four categories: negligible, low, medium, or high. A negligible suitability rating means that no further bat surveys are needed, allowing the planning application to move forward. However, sites with low, medium, or high suitability will typically require additional bat activity surveys to confirm presence of bats and determine if mitigation measures are necessary.
It is highly recommended to hire an ecologist to assist with a preliminary roost assessment. Experienced ecologists can offer valuable guidance on required mitigation measures and can design appropriate mitigation plans if needed.
How can Collington Winter assist?
Collington Winter Environmental are a team of ecological consultants with many years of experience in undertaking bat assessments on all types of development projects and can help to meet any bat survey requirements required. Our Ecology Director, Olivia Collington, holds a Natural England Bat licence and has worked with protected species and bat surveyors across the UK.
Please contact our team (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for more information on our ecological services and protected habitat surveys and species survey work, including bat surveys and great crested newt surveys. We also provide ecological appraisal and assessment services.
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