Why is a bat survey needed?
Because bats and their roosts are protected by law, it may be necessary to find out whether bats are present in a building before building works can proceed. Bats can roost in loft spaces and also externally under certain features such as raised roof tiles and chimney flashing.
In some cases more than one survey is needed to determine bat presence or absence. Councils may request a bat survey to support a planning application, depending on the building location and the local landscape i.e. if woodland or ponds are located nearby. The survey report will be submitted to the Council and may also be used to support a European Protected Species Licence application to Natural England, if necessary.
Types of bat survey
A daytime bat survey is called a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) and is carried out to assess the suitability of a building to support bat roosts. This survey consists of an internal loft inspection and an external inspection to check for evidence of bat activity and assess the suitability.
A Bat Emergence Survey (BES) is a stage 2 bat survey which is conducted in the evening around sunset. This is an external survey whereby surveyors are positioned around the outside of the building to watch for bats entering or leaving roost sites. Each surveyor is equipped with a bat detector and infrared cameras are also used to record bat activity.
Seasonality
A PRA survey can be completed at anytime of the year. Stage 2 bat surveys must be completed when bats are most active which is May – September inclusive.
Who can do the survey?
A licenced and experienced bat surveyor is required to complete the survey. Their licence covers their actions should bats be disturbed during the survey. An unlicenced surveyor could result in planning refusal and costly delays.
Survey cost
Bat survey prices are from £300 inc. VAT – please enquire for a quote here.
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