Bat Survey Caerphilly: Protected Species

Bat surveys are completed to inform a planning permission application and determine the presence of bats within structures or trees. A local planning authority will usually let you know if a bat survey is appropriate and provide this with a method statement.

Bats are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, meaning it is unlawful to injure/kill bats or damage or destroy a bat roosting place that may exist on a site. Therefore, a thorough bat survey can help to provide project developers with an indication of the correct measures to take to aid bat mitigation. The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 outlines the proper procedures for developers to take to ensure endangered species and their habitats are not neglected.

Preliminary Roost Assessment:  A Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) is an initial evaluation conducted to evidence the possibility of bats roosting in a specific building or structure.

This survey serves as a beneficial first step in the process of navigating the potential impact of project development on bat species on the site and in the area. Our consultants will perform thorough internal and external inspections of the building, looking for evidence of bat roosting.

Bat emergence and re-entry surveys: Bat emergence and re-entry surveys typically follow a bat scoping survey or a preliminary roost assessment when evidence of bat presence has been detected in an area. The bat worker will monitor any entry and exit points to gather information on the location, bat species, and bat population.

Nocturnal bat surveys: A nocturnal bat survey is a type of ecological survey conducted to observe and record nighttime bat activity and behaviour. These surveys are essential for providing information about any present bats which may not have been gatherable during the daytime, further supplementing planning applications and licence applications.

A local planning authority such as Caerphilly County Borough Council will provide further measures and guidance for project developers based in South Wales. For Good Practice Guidance for Bats, visit the Chartered Institute of Ecology website.

Collington Winter Environmental is an ecological consultancy based in Greater Manchester offering environmental impact assessments and surveys nationwide. Our ecologists hold Natural England bat licences and European Protected Species licences, which allow us to proficiently carry out bat surveys across the UK.

Please contact our Managing Director Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for more information on our wide range of ecological services and protected habitats and species survey work, including great crested newt surveys. We also provide preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) and assessment services.