Bat Survey Stroud

Glade Ecology undertake bat surveys throughout Stroud and the surrounding area.

Our team of expert ecologists can help guide your project through the planning process. By working closely with our clients, we ensure that their developments progress smoothly and in full compliance with the law, orchestrating the best possible outcome for them and the natural world.

Considering ecological issues early on in the planning process can help ensure that potentially costly and time-consuming delays are avoided.

What is a bat survey?

All species of UK bats and their roosting sites are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and the Conservation of Habitats and Species (amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. As European protected species, it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure, capture, or disturb them, or to damage, destroy, or obstruct access to their roosts. While considering your planning application, the local planning authority may request a bat survey, if they deem it possible that the proposed works could commit an offence. The aim of the survey is to determine presence/ likely absence of bats, and if present, the exact number of roosts, their locations and ingress/ egress points, and the species and number of bats utilising them (i.e. roost characterisation).

Bat surveys generally consist of two phases. The first stage comprises a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA), in which a licensed ecologist will undertake a systematic physical inspection of the structure, searching for evidence of bats, or features potentially suitable for supporting roosting or hibernating bats. A search for evidence of nesting birds will also be undertaken. This element of the survey can be undertaken at any time of year.

The findings of the PRA are used to inform the scope of any further recommended work. The value of the on-site features for bats are assessed in accordance with industry guidelines. If the structure is found to have negligible suitability to support bats, no further survey is required.

However, if the PRA identifies the need for further survey (i.e. the structure is assessed as having greater than negligible bat roost suitability, or evidence of bat utilisation is found), this would comprise the second stage of the bat survey – presence/ likely absence surveys, or roost characterisation surveys when presence has been established. These surveys involve positioning suitably experienced surveyors or strategically placed Night Vision Aids (NVAs) around the structure at dusk, to determine whether bats are exiting roosts within it. Ultrasound bat detectors are used during this work to assist with species identification. This stage of the survey is seasonally constrained and must be undertaken at least in part during the core period when bats occupy summer roosts sites (May to August inclusive).

If the surveys conclude that the proposed works would likely result in adverse impacts to roosting bats, it may be necessary to obtain a European Protected Species Mitigation Licence (EPSML) from the relevant statutory body, prior to the commencement of works. These licenses enable work that would otherwise be illegal (e.g. disturbance of a bat or destruction of a roost), to proceed at certain times of year, in line with a detailed method statement. Works will be carefully designed so that under the supervision of an ecologist, they are implemented in a manner that avoids, mitigates, or compensates for any significant effects on bats, and ensures the continued favourable conservation status and ecological functionality of the roost(s), post development. The presence of bats on a site very rarely prevents a development from proceeding. For more information about bat surveys, click below.

Bat Survey

How Glade Ecology can help you

With over fifteen years' experience in undertaking protected species surveys, mitigation design, licensing, site supervision, and monitoring, our friendly team of expert ecologists can help guide your project through the planning process. By working closely with our clients and considering ecological issues early on, we can help ensure that potentially costly and time-consuming delays are avoided.

We pride ourselves on providing pragmatic, practical solutions for our clients, that not only ensure full compliance with wildlife legislation, but that achieve the best possible outcome, for both them and the natural world.

We undertake ecology surveys throughout Stroud and the surrounding areas of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. For more information about the services that we provide, or to request a free quotation, please contact us below.

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