Bat Survey Brighton: Protected Species

When embarking on a new development project, a bat survey or assessment may be required to uphold necessary commitments to the support the preservation of bat habitats and mitigate risk factors to bats alongside other endangered species.  Collington Winter Environmental provide a nationwide ecology service, and are readily able to provide assistance with bat surveys in Brighton.

Local planning authorities see to it that project planners and developers follow through with ecological requirements by reviewing planning applications and visiting proposed sites for inspections during and after construction work takes place. Supported by crucial legislation such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, local authorities have the ability to delay or even prevent a project from receiving planning permission if they believe ecological constraints have been neglected.

If a survey has recorded the presence of bats, a duty of care is bestowed upon project developers to prevent the bats from experiencing any harm or disruption. Strategic measures must be put in place not to encourage further decline of bat species across the UK, with East Sussex hosting all eighteen present species of bat, conservation efforts in Brighton are fundamental.

The main types of bat surveys performed across the UK include:

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): The Initial survey used 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, such as droppings, feeding remains, and potential access points. The purpose of this survey is to determine whether further, more detailed assessments may be needed.

Bat Emergence survey and Dawn Re-entry surveys:  If evidence suggests that bats may be present on a proposed development site, an Emergence and Re-entry Survey is carried out. When conducting dusk and dawn surveys, bat surveyors use bat detectors to record echolocation calls. This can 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 during the 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. A nocturnal bat survey is highly beneficial to the conservation of habitats, ecological assessments, and the determination of the nature of the impact on the surrounding environment of development projects.

Hibernation surveys: During the winter months, Hibernation Surveys are conducted to locate bats hibernating in spots such as caves, mines, tunnels, and tree cavities. Surveyors inspect these locations for torpid bats, with surveys taking place between November and March.

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

Following any bat survey will be an instructive method statement to inform project developers on the necessary steps to take when conserving and protecting bats which are present on a development site.

If unnecessary disturbance or harm to bats is still likely despite mitigation measures, the method statement will include provisions to replace or recreate bat habitats to keep potential harm to bats at a minimum. Compensation post-development for the impact on species during the process should be avoided and used as a last resort for project developers.

Depending on the scale of the project, recommendations may vary. For example, less may need to be done to protect bats in a private loft conversion when compared to a large-scale development on land which features woodland or old dilapidated structures. Common recommendations for any scale of project development include:

• Timing of works – As many roosts are seasonal and appear in the warmer months, there is typically a period where work can go ahead without impacting the bats.
• Restoration or Creation of Roosts – Roots should be left undisturbed; if this is unavoidable, project developers should recreate bat habitats mimicking natural bat roost features such as location, access points, material, and temperature of the original roosting sites. Some larger or more eco-conscious projects will integrate bat-friendly infrastructure when building to support roosting bats.
• Long-term habitat management and maintenance – Surveys will provide data on how bats may use the site, whether for roosting, foraging, hibernating, or breeding. The area should be consistently maintained to preserve bat habitats. Planting insect-inviting plants can provide food for endangered species, including bats.

Project developers should dutifully implement any recommended measures from a survey into the development process. Any recommendations that are put in place should be listed planning proposals so that local planning authorities are aware of the positive impact your ecological strategies may have.

In the case your development does not pose a threat to any bat habitats, Natural Planning Policy still encourages developments to enhance the environmental sustainability of a development area to make any endangered bat species that host the area feel welcome.

Our ecological consultants will assess the suitable methods of conservation that should be included in your project development process.

Collington Winter is an Environmental Consultancy based in Greater Manchester that offers protected species assessment services to small and large-scale project developments within and outside the bat season. We have extensive experience in providing bat ecologist services, including preliminary root assessments, dusk emergence and dawn re-entry surveys and nocturnal bat surveys.  Throughout the year, including during out of season protected species surveying periods, we also provide ecological consultancy on biodiversity net gain, which is now a mandatory requirement of all planning projects.

With regards to the undertaking of bat surveys and provision of advice, our consultants hold European Protected Species licences in addition to Mitigation Licences from Natural England and perform informative and professional project assessments across the country.

Get in touch with our Ecology Director, Olivia Collington (Olivia.collington@collingtonwinter.co.uk), for more information on other Ecological services we offer, such as different species surveys for Great Crested Newts and Badgers. We also provide Preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) services and landscape architecture services to support your project.  Alternatively, contact one of the team on 01204 939608.