Bat Survey Solihull: Protected Species Surveys

A bat survey, Solihull, is a key element of the planning application process, helping to identify and address any potential issues related to bat presence on development sites. These surveys assess whether bats inhabit buildings, trees, or other structures within the proposed area.

Legislation such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, provides strong legal protection for all bat species and wild birds, including their roosting and breeding sites – regardless of location. If a local planning authority finds that these legal requirements have been overlooked or necessary ecological assessments are lacking, they may intervene or deny planning permission.

In England and Wales, it is a criminal offence to intentionally harm, kill, or disturb bats, or to block access to their roosts. As such, the implementation of appropriate bat mitigation and enhancement strategies is critical. These measures not only support bat conservation but also help ensure compliance with environmental law – minimising the risk of planning delays or refusals.

Preliminary Roost Assessment: A Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA), sometimes known as a bat scoping survey, is typically the first assessment to undertake to determine whether bats are likely to be present on a development site. This step can also provide an understanding of the scale of impact a project development may have on the bat species residing on-site and in the surrounding area.

Bat emergence and re-entry surveys (BERS): If a PRA determines that roosting bats could be present on a site, a dusk emergence survey or a dawn re-entry survey will typically be performed to monitor further bat activity in and around the bat roosts. This includes monitoring entry and exit points to provide a more thorough insight on behaviour, as well as collecting evidence of bats, such as bat droppings.

Our experienced bat ecology consultants use specialist bat detectors to monitor bat activity in a non-intrusive manner over multiple site visits, minimising any disturbance to the bats.

Nocturnal bat surveys: This type of ecology survey observes and records bat species’ activity and behaviour during the night, as bat activity is predominantly nocturnal. In summary, these bat activity surveys are beneficial for monitoring bat populations and identifying habitats and species.

Following a bat survey, a detailed bat survey report will be provided to guide developers on the necessary steps to conserve and protect any bats identified on the site. If mitigation efforts are insufficient to prevent disturbance or harm to bats, the method statement will outline compensatory measures to minimise potential impact.

The most common recommendations include:

Timing of Works – Since many bat roosts are seasonal, typically appearing during warmer months, scheduling works during appropriate times of the year can help avoid disturbance.

Roost Restoration or Creation – If roosts cannot be preserved, they should be recreated to mimic natural bat habitats, taking into account factors such as location and access points. In some cases, developers may integrate bat-friendly features directly into new structures.

Long-Term Habitat Management – Surveys help determine how bats use the site—whether for roosting, foraging, breeding, or hibernation. Ongoing management, such as preserving vegetation or planting insect-attracting flora, can support local bat populations and improve habitat quality over time.

At Collington Winter Environmental, we offer specialist bat surveys to meet the requirements of both local authorities and clients. Our knowledgeable ecology team is fully licensed by Natural England and hold European Protected Species licenses. Working in close partnership with developers across the UK, we place a strong emphasis on protecting endangered species while ensuring a smooth, efficient planning process.

Our Managing Director, Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk), is happy to provide more information on our wide range of protected species survey work in the West Midlands, including bat surveys, water vole surveys and great crested newt surveys. We also provide preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) and Biodiversity Net Gain services.