Bat Survey for Planning Braunton: Protected Species Surveys

When embarking on a new development project along the North Devon Coast, a bat survey for planning, Braunton, may be required to uphold necessary commitments to support the preservation of bat habitats and mitigate risk factors to bats alongside other endangered species.

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 developers do not protect bats that are present on site.

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 to prevent the further decline of bat species across the UK.

Braunton hosts various species of bats, including the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat, Daubenton’s bat, whiskered bat, and Brandt’s bat.

The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management recommends undertaking devon bat surveys or assessments in the summer months between May and September, as this season sees the peak of bat activity across England and Wales. Should bat presence be recorded during the summer, wintertime surveys are often recommended to determine whether the bats may use the same location to hibernate.

“Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists” Good Practice Guidelines can be found here.

Bat ecologists in England and Wales typically perform the following bat activity surveys to record bat activity:

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): The first type of survey 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. Evidence may include droppings, feeding remains, and potential access points. The purpose of this survey is to decide whether further, more detailed assessments are necessary.

Bat Emergence Survey and Dawn Re-entry Surveys: If evidence suggests that bats may be present, an Emergence and Re-entry Survey is carried out. These surveys are conducted at dusk and dawn, using bat detectors to record echolocation calls. They 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 and assess their habitats.

Collington Winter Environmental is an ecological consultancy offering protected species assessment services to all kinds of project developments. We have extensive experience in providing bat ecologist services, including preliminary root assessments, emergence and re-entry surveys and nocturnal bat surveys.

Our consultants hold European Protected Species and Natural England mitigation class licences and work closely with the Bat Conservation Trust to perform informative and reliable species surveys.

Please Get in touch with our Managing Director, Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk), for more information on the wide range of ecological surveys we offer, such as Water Vole and Great Crested Newt Surveys. 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.