The UK’s Leading Bat Survey Experts for All Your Planning Needs – providing comprehensive assessments, expert insights, and reliable reports to meet planning requirements, with dedicated support at every stage of your development project.
Planning a development project? Ensuring you meet ecological and regulatory standards is crucial, especially when it comes to protecting bat populations and their habitats. At ACP, we offer licensed bat surveys to provide essential documentation and assessments, helping you meet planning requirements. Our experienced ecologists conduct thorough bat activity surveys to preserve bat roosting sites and align your project with conservation regulations. With ACP, you’ll receive a trusted bat survey report that helps move your project forward while supporting habitat protection.
You can also drop us an email at hello@acp-consultants.com and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to help with your inquiry!
With a proven track record of delivering exceptional environmental consulting services, our consultants are the trusted partner for companies and developers across the UK. We don’t just stop at issuing reports – we support your project from start to finish, liaising with planning authorities and stakeholders to ensure your report is received satisfactorily by the relevant authorities.
Fill out our quick quote form or call us, and our team will provide a free, no-obligation quote, outlining the services tailored to your needs.
Once you approve the quote, simply return the project setup form. We’ll schedule your survey and ensure all the details are taken care of.
After your survey is completed and payment is received, we’ll promptly issue your survey report, ensuring you get the results as quickly as possible.
When planning a development close to woodland or water, you may require a Bat Survey to avoid disturbing bat populations. Bats are a European protected species, and their habitats are safeguarded by law. Licensed bat surveys identify the presence of bats, bat roosts, and bat activity around development areas, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations for habitat conservation.
Licensed bat ecologiest are essential for many planning applications, especially if your development is near bat roosting sites or in habitats where bat species are likely. This guide explains the types of surveys, costs, and processes involved, helping you meet the requirements set by local planning authorities and increase your chances of planning permission.
A Bat Survey is a detailed inspection conducted to detect evidence of bats, identify roost sites, and observe bat activity in a specific area. Bat surveys are usually required for developments close to woodland, water, or other bat habitats. Bats are critical to ecosystems, helping control insect populations, and they are protected under the Habitats and Species Regulations.
A licensed bat surveyor performs these surveys, which may include searching for access points to bat roosts or spotting bat activity in the area. Survey work is designed to minimise harm and ensure compliance with legal requirements, maintaining the conservation of habitats essential to bat populations.
A Bat Survey (BS) is typically required when a project could impact bat roosting sites or their habitats. Local planning authorities often ask for a BS as part of a planning application if the development site is close to woodland or water, or if bat species might be present.
A BS may be required in the following cases:
It’s recommended to consult with your Local Authority, Natural England or an experienced bat surveyor to clarify whether you require a BS for your planning application.
A range of advanced equipment, including thermal cameras and ultrasonic detectors, can be used to accurately detect and monitor bat activity.
There are various types of BS designed to meet different planning requirements. Here’s an overview of common bat surveys:
A Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) is often the first step in thoroughly assessing potential impacts on bat roosting sites. During this survey, a licensed surveyor carefully inspects buildings, trees, and other structures in order to identify signs of bat roosts, such as droppings or access points where bats might enter.
An Emergence and Re-entry Survey involves observing bats closely as they leave or return to roost sites at dusk and dawn. Importantly, this survey is essential for determining the specific bat species in the area and for understanding the number of bats roosting on-site.
Bat Activity Surveys track the movement of bats across the site, thereby providing insights into how bats use the area for commuting and foraging. Furthermore, this type of survey work is valuable for designing effective mitigation and compensation measures to help minimise impacts on bat populations.
Licensed bat surveys follow specific methods and use specialised equipment to detect and record bat activity without disturbing them. Surveyors use bat detectors that capture ultrasonic calls, which help identify bat species present in the area. BS are generally carried out during the warmer months, from April to September, when bats are most active.
A licensed survey involves:
Survey work is thorough to ensure reliable results that meet the requirements of the local planning authority and comply with conservation regulations.
Licensed bat surveys are essential because bats are a legally protected species, and disturbing or harming them is illegal. Conducting a survey ensures that planning applications comply with conservation laws, minimise impacts on bats and their habitats, and prevent harm to these species.
Additionally, by following the guidelines set by the Bat Conservation Trust and Natural England, your planning application demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility.
The cost of a BS can vary depending on the survey type, site complexity, and whether follow-up assessments are required. Survey costs typically include the initial assessment and any additional survey work if bats are detected. Our survey prices start from £275.
Timing is also crucial since surveys must be conducted when bats are active, generally between April and September. While a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) can be conducted at any time of the year, bat activity surveys need to take place during this specific active period. Delaying surveys until this period helps avoid unnecessary planning permission delays and ensures compliance with local planning authorities.
The BS Report is a comprehensive document that includes all findings from survey work, such as evidence of bats, bat roosts, and bat activity in the area. Moreover, this report is submitted as part of the planning application to the local planning authority. In addition, it also includes recommendations for necessary mitigation and compensation measures to protect bat populations and habitats.
Overall, the Survey Report demonstrates compliance with the Habitats and Species Regulations and ensures that your development respects bat conservation principles, thereby increasing the likelihood of planning approval.
If a BS finds that a development project could affect bats, mitigation and compensation measures are often required. These measures help ensure minimal impact on roosting sites and habitats and may include:
Mitigation and compensation measures are essential steps for protecting bats and are often necessary for obtaining planning permission from local planning authorities.
BS follow stringent regulations to protect bats and their habitats:
Following these regulations ensures that development projects meet standards set by Natural England and local planning authorities, helping secure planning permission.
Preliminary Roost Assessments (PRA): An initial inspection to identify signs of roosts and access points.
Emergence and Re-entry Surveys: Monitoring of bats as they exit or enter roosting sites, typically at dusk or dawn.
Activity Surveys: Tracking bat movements across your site to assess commuting and foraging patterns.
Report Preparation for Planning: A detailed report summarising survey findings for planning applications.
Mitigation and Compensation Planning: Development of strategies to reduce project impact on bat populations and habitats.
Compliance and Licensing Support: Assistance with Natural England licensing and compliance with European Protected Species regulations.
At ACP, we have extensive experience in conducting bat surveys for planning applications. Our team guides you through every stage, from preliminary roost assessments to detailed activity surveys, ensuring your project complies with BCT regulations. We also assist with mitigation planning and licensing when needed, so your project meets all ecological requirements. Trust ACP Bat Survey Consultants to help your project progress smoothly while safeguarding vital bat habitats.
Why do I need a bat survey?
Local planning authorities require a Bat Activity Survey (BAS) for projects that could impact bat roosts or habitats, as bats are a legally protected species.
When should I conduct a BS?
Conduct BAS between April and September, when bats are most active.
How much does a BS cost?
BAS costs vary based on the survey type, site complexity, and the need for follow-up assessments.
What happens if bats are found on my site?
If we find bats, we provide a detailed report with recommendations for mitigation and compensation measures in the planning application.
What is the optimal time of year to conduct a BS?
The optimal time to conduct a BAS is typically during the warmer months, from April to September, when bats are most active. During this period, activity surveys, such as emergence and re-entry surveys, are most effective. In contrast, a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) can be conducted at any time of the year. By conducting surveys within the recommended active season, you help ensure accurate results and thereby avoid potential delays in planning applications.
Why do planning authorities require ecological assessments?
Planning authorities often require ecological assessments because, first and foremost, they help ensure development projects comply with environmental regulations. Additionally, these assessments identify potential impacts on wildlife and habitats, allowing developers to implement necessary mitigation measures. Ultimately, this process not only protects biodiversity but also increases the likelihood of planning approval by demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices.
Starting construction without a required survey could lead to legal issues and delay your project when survey is necessary for your proejct.
What is an emergence and re-entry survey
An emergence and re-entry survey observes bats as they exit or enter roosting sites at dusk or dawn.
How long is a bat survey report valid?
A bat survey report is generally valid for up to two years; conditions may need reassessment after this period.
What laws protect bats and their habitats in the UK?
Several laws protect bats and their roosting sites, including those found behind hanging tiles or in other sheltered spaces. Specifically, the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 protect all species of bat in the UK, thus making it illegal to harm or disturb them.
Consequently, local authorities require BS to ensure compliance with these regulations, which, in turn, helps protect bat populations and maintain biodiversity during development projects.
Need Help with Your Planning Applications?
Contact ACP to Book Your Bat Survey Today
Reach out to our bat survey consultants today. Our skilled team will guide you through the survey process, ensuring your project meets all planning requirements while protecting vital bat habitats in line with the latest conservation standards.
When you choose ACP, you’re partnering with experts who understand the importance of bat conservation in planning. With our support, you can achieve your development goals while contributing to a balanced, sustainable environment.
Simply fill out our contact form, and one of our team members will get in touch within 24 hours.
You can call us directly at 0330 236 7329 or email us at hello@acp-consultants.com
Our content is carefully prepared and maintained by our in-house specialists to ensure accuracy, relevance, and practical insights. Each update reflects the latest in environmental consulting, providing our clients and partners with dependable guidance tailored to their project needs.
At ACP, our dedicated team brings together over 14 years of expertise, delivering multidisciplinary environmental consultancy services that make a difference across the UK.
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