When undertaking any building or development work you should consider that bats may be present from the very earliest stages of the project, even from site acquisition. Considering bats later on can create entirely avoidable delays and design changes. The first step is to obtain surveys of the site for bats by a suitably qualified ecological consultant.
Depending on the type and location of site and the habitats on the site and in the surrounding area, an ecological consultant may be required to carry out some or all of the steps below.
- Undertake a Preliminary Roost Assessment, which is a thorough inspection of structures or trees to assess their potential to support bat roosts and look for evidence of bats.
- Undertake other types of more detailed bat surveys, which may be seasonally constrained and require repetition, making early engagement with an ecologist essential.
- Discuss with you the likely impacts of your proposal on bats (if present) and options for impact avoidance, mitigation, compensation and enhancement.
- Write a report for submission with the planning application detailing the findings of the surveys (bat species, numbers, roost types and locations), the impact assessment and the proposed mitigation measures.
- Write a European Protected Species licence application (if needed) containing the above information, which can be applied for after planning is granted.
- Apply for an European Protected Species licence on your behalf.
- If both planning and then licensing are granted, the ecologist may supervise some elements of the work on site, as per the report and licence.
- Check to ensure that mitigation strategy is being properly implemented.
- Monitor the site to check response of the bat population to the mitigation.
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