Bat Survey Sunderland: Protected Species Surveys

If you’re a landowner with a new development project in the City of Sunderland, you may be asked to carry out a bat survey to meet ecological requirements during the planning process. Local planning authorities often require bat species assessments when considering planning permission grants, especially when a site may impact the local environment. In Sunderland and across England as a whole, assessing the presence of bats is a key step to be considered as a new development progresses.

Bats’ habitats are legally protected by UK authorities, including all roosting bats and foraging areas; under the legislation, they must face no harm. Sunderland City Council, which oversees planning in the Sunderland region, may request ecological assessment documentation to ensure projects meet legal standards such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

At Collington Winter Environmental, our ecology professionals work to follow the example of the Bat Conservation Trust in their mission to protect the nation’s bats. We pride ourselves on providing clear, environmental support for developers and homeowners alike, helping to keep projects on track while respecting local nature and wildlife.

The period between May and September raises the amount of bat surveys for professional ecologists to complete as this is when bats are most active. If initial surveys during this period indicate bat activity, further surveys may be required during the less active winter months as there is a potential for bats to be using the site to hibernate.

We appreciate that every project brings different challenges, so we personalise our assessments to combat the specific characteristics of your development and the surrounding environment. Our most bat risk assessment methods include:

• Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): This is the first step, where one of our ecological consultants completes a visual inspection of the building site (internal and external, trees, structures) to check for any signs of bat activity such as droppings, staining, or access points.
• Bat Emergence Surveys (Dusk and Dawn): If evidence of bat roosts is found, we carry out observations at dawn and dusk using thermal imaging and bat detectors to document when and where bats enter or leave the site.
• Nocturnal Surveys: These surveys are undertaken during the night to track bat behaviour, such as feeding patterns, species identification, and flight routes. We use specialist acoustic and tracking equipment to minimise disruption while gathering detailed data.

Collington Winter Environmental are adapt to providing a large number of protected species and habitat surveys and bat survey reports across England and Wales each bat season. Our team of experienced ecologists hold Natural England Protected Species Licences, allowing us to work efficiently while meeting all legal and ecological responsibilities.

Whether you’re submitting a planning application or simply want to ensure your project respects the local wildlife, we can help make the process as smooth as possible. We offer other ecological services in addition to bat surveys, including:

• Great crested newt surveys
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs)
• Landscape architecture services

To discuss your project or arrange a consultation on our wide range of services, such as a bat survey in North Eastern locations like Sunderland, contact our Ecology Director, Olivia Collington at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk. You can also reach us through our enquiry and contact form, which is displayed on the side of this page.