Bat Surveys in Devon: Protected Species

When planning a new development project, a bat survey may be required to identify potential impacts on bats and their roosting habitats. Appropriate survey and mitigation measures can help protect bat populations, minimise ecological risks and ensure the project complies with relevant wildlife legislation. Collington Winter Environmental provides nationwide ecological consultancy services, including professional bat surveys and support from experienced bat ecologists in Devon.

Local planning authorities play an important role in ensuring that developers and project planners meet their ecological responsibilities. Planning applications may be assessed for potential ecological constraints, while site inspections can take place before, during and after construction.

Legislation including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 provides important legal protection for bats and other species. Where ecological considerations have not been adequately addressed, local authorities may delay or refuse planning permission.

The appropriate bat survey will depend on the findings of an initial assessment and the nature of the proposed works.

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): A PRA is often the first stage of investigating potential bat presence. An ecologist will inspect buildings, trees and other structures for features that could provide suitable roosting opportunities. The findings can help determine whether further surveys are necessary and inform the scope of any subsequent ecological work.

Bat Dusk Emergence and Dawn Re-entry surveys: Where a PRA identifies suitable features or potential signs of bats, bat emergence and re-entry surveys may be required. These surveys are generally undertaken around dusk or dawn using specialist equipment to detect bat calls and determine whether bats are leaving or returning to a potential roost.

Nocturnal bat surveys: Nocturnal bat surveys are carried out after dark to monitor bat activity across a development site and surrounding habitats. They can help identify the species present and provide information about how bats use different parts of the site.

Collington Winter Environmental is an experienced ecological consultancy providing environmental assessments and protected species surveys across the UK. Our team includes suitably qualified ecologists who hold relevant Natural England licenses and have extensive experience working with protected species, including bats. We work to help developers understand and manage ecological constraints while finding practical solutions that benefit both development projects and local wildlife.

If you require a bat survey in Devon, contact Collington Winter at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk.