Bat Survey Devon: Protected Species

When embarking on a new development project, a bat survey or assessment may be required to uphold necessary commitments to support the preservation of bat habitats and roost sites, mitigating 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 ecologists and bat surveys in Devon.

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. These strategic measures must be put in place on development sites nationwide not to encourage further decline of bat species across the UK.

A bat survey process will typically follow a structure similar to the one below:

• Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): This initial survey determines whether bats are likely to be roosting in a building or structure. It is an important first step in evaluating the potential impact of the proposed development on local bat species. Consultants will inspect both the internal and external areas of a site for any signs of bat roosts.
• Bat Emergence Surveys and Re-entry Surveys: If bat activity is detected after the preliminary survey, an emergence or re-entry survey may be necessary. These surveys track potential  bat locations, including entry and exit points to buildings, providing valuable insights into bat behaviour, roosting locations, and feeding habits. They are typically conducted multiple times, both day and night, using equipment like thermal imaging cameras and bat detectors to minimise any disturbance to the bats.
• Nocturnal Bat Surveys: Since all UK bat species are nocturnal and use echolocation, nocturnal surveys are an effective way to monitor their activity and behaviour. These surveys are typically performed at night to gather detailed data on bat behaviour and activity levels.

Collington Winter Environmental is an ecological consultancy boasting extensive experience in environmental impact assessments and surveys nationwide. Our team hold Natural England Licences and work with protected species across the UK alongside bat conservation trusts. It is our priority to ensure a project will land with mutual benefit to developers and the surrounding wildlife.

Please get in touch with our Managing Director, Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk), for more information on our wide range of ecological services and protected species survey work, including bat activity surveys and great crested newt surveys. We also provide preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) services alongside landscape architectural services.