Bat Survey Swindon: Protected Species Surveys

If you are at the outset of a new development project in Swindon, 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 Swindon 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. Swindon Borough Council, which oversees planning in the Swindon 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 mission is to provide clear and understandable guidance for developers and landowners across the UK, helping to keep projects on track while respecting local nature and wildlife.

The period between May and September witness a peak in the number 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 frequently used 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 bat 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 is well adapted to providing a large number of protected species and habitat surveys across South West England each bat season.

Our team of experienced ecologists are experts in the bat survey process and hold Natural England and European Protected Species Licences (EPSL), 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 smooth, with the necessary focus on compliance with local authorities. 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 Swindon, 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.