Bat Survey Totnes: Protected Species Surveys

When beginning a new development project in Totnes, you may be required to conduct a bat survey to meet ecological expectations during the planning process. Local planning authorities often require bat species assessments when considering planning permission grants, especially when a site may impact local nature. In Totnes and the rest of Southern England, assessing whether bats are present on a site is crucial to ensuring a development process benefits both the environment and the local area.

Under UK law, endangered species like bats, including all bat roosts and foraging areas, are protected, meaning under the legislation, they must face no risk of human harm. Totnes Town Council, which processes planning applications for the area, may request evidence that ecological surveys are complete. This ensures projects comply with legal standards such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

Collington Winter Environmental’s mission is to provide clear and navigable guidance for developers and landowners across England and Wales, allowing projects to progress smoothly whilst respecting the local wildlife and habitats.

The optimal time for a bat survey, Totnes to take place is the summer months between May and September, as bat activity and breeding patterns increase considerably at this time. If surveyance during this period suggests bats reside on-site, further surveys may be required during the less active winter months to assess the possibility of hibernating bats.

In particular, residents of Totnes may witness large populations of the Greater Horseshoe bat, the Brown Long-Eared bat, the Common Pipistrelle and the Barbastelle bat. Further information about bats residing in Totnes and other locations in devon including Torquay and Torbay, can be found on the Devon Bat Group website.

At Collington Winter, our ecology consultants appreciate the challenges that can accompany a new project, so we place our focus on ensuring our assessments meet the specific needs of your development and the surrounding environment. Following approved practice guidelines developed by the Bat Conservation Trust, our effective bat survey methods include:

• Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): This is the first step, where one of our ecological clerks completes a thorough inspection of the building site (internal and external, trees, structures) to check for any significant bat activity such as bat droppings, staining, or access points.
• Bat Emergence Surveys (Dusk and Dawn): If there is evidence to suggest bats are roosting, we then carry out observations at dawn and dusk using thermal imaging and bat detectors to document when and where bats access the site.
• Nocturnal Surveys: Nocturnal bat activity surveys are undertaken during the night to track bat behaviour, such as feeding patterns, species identification, and flight routes. We use specialist tracking equipment to minimise disturbance to the bats whilst gathering important data.

Collington Winter Environmental is highly experienced in delivering comprehensive protected species and habitat surveys throughout Southern England during the bat season.

Our dedicated team of qualified ecologists brings deep expertise to every bat survey, holding both Natural England and European Protected Species Licenses (EPSL). This means we can undertake bat surveys efficiently while ensuring full compliance with ecological and legal standards.

Whether you’re preparing a planning application or simply want to ensure your project supports local biodiversity, we’re here to make the process straightforward and compliant with all relevant regulations.

In addition to bat surveys, we also provide a wide range of ecological services, including:

• Great Crested Newt Surveys
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs)
• Landscape Architecture Services

If you’re planning a development – whether in South England or further afield – and need expert ecological support, we’d be happy to help.