Bat Survey Worthing Borough
A bat survey Worthing Borough may be required where development proposals could affect buildings, trees or habitats capable of supporting bats. Because bats are protected species under UK wildlife protection laws, planning authorities must consider potential impacts on bat roosts before determining planning applications.
ACP Consultants provides bat surveys for planning Worthing Borough and across West Sussex, supporting homeowners, architects, planning consultants and developers with ecological surveys aligned with national guidance and recognised professional standards.
We undertake preliminary roost as sessments Worthing Borough, bat emergence surveys Worthing Borough and follow-up ecological surveys where necessary. Survey results can support planning applications, discharge planning conditions and wider ecological assessments such as environmental impact assessments for larger development proposals.
Our reports help clients understand ecological constraints early and provide clear, planning-ready information for planning officers, ecological consultees and project teams across West Sussex.
We follow a simple, transparent process to ensure your project runs smoothly from the very first contact to the final report. Our approach is designed to provide you with clarity at every step, so you’re fully informed and confident in moving forward.
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Step 1: Request a Quote
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.
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Step 2: Confirm Your Booking
Once you approve the quote, simply return the booking form. We’ll schedule your survey and ensure all the details are taken care of.
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Step 3: Receive Your Report
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.
In the past year, we’ve delivered over 750+ audit-ready reports supporting 400+ projects for developers, planners, and architects nationwide. We put quality over quantity and build lasting relationships based on trust, ensuring your planning applications are backed by robust evidence and delivered on time.
Do I Need a Bat Survey in Worthing Borough?
Many planning applications in Worthing Borough involve buildings or habitats capable of supporting bats. Because bats commonly use buildings and trees for roosting, planning authorities often request surveys where development proposals could affect these features.
You may need a bat survey for planning Worthing Borough if your project involves:
- roof alterations, loft conversions or re-roofing works
- demolition or redevelopment of buildings
- barn conversions or agricultural building refurbishment
- removal of mature trees or woodland management
- installation of lighting near woodland edges or watercourses
- extensions affecting roof spaces, eaves or gable ends
- development near hedgerows or tree lines used by bats
- projects located close to rivers, parks or coastal habitats
Buildings often contain small gaps or cavities that bats can use as roosting spaces. Even modern buildings may contain suitable features within roof structures or wall cavities. Trees may also contain cracks, cavities or loose bark capable of supporting bat roosts.
Because bats are insectivorous bats, they rely on insects for food and often forage around gardens, parks, woodland edges and watercourses. These habitats are common across Worthing Borough and surrounding areas of West Sussex.
Bat surveys therefore provide evidence that helps planning authorities determine whether development proposals could affect bats and whether additional ecological measures may be required.
The Bat Survey Process
Bat surveys generally follow a staged process recommended by ecological guidance. This pathway gathers ecological evidence in a proportionate way. It considers the potential for bats to be present. It also assesses whether development proposals could affect bat roosts. This structured approach helps ensure surveys match the level of risk. It also gives planning authorities reliable ecological information when determining planning applications.
In most cases, the first stage is a preliminary roost assessment Worthing Borough. This checks whether buildings, roof spaces, trees or surrounding habitats could support bats. Suitable features may include gaps beneath roof tiles, lifted flashing, soffits, cracks, cavities and loft voids. Tree features can also include splits, holes and loose bark.
If features capable of supporting roosts are identified, further surveys may be recommended. These may include bat activity or emergence surveys. These surveys confirm whether bats are present and how they use the site. They also assess whether the proposed development could affect roosting, commuting or foraging behaviour.
This staged process keeps ecological survey work proportionate and evidence-based. It helps homeowners, architects, planning consultants and developers understand likely planning requirements early. This can reduce delays during validation, consultation or determination.
Preliminary Roost Assessment Worthing Borough
A preliminary roost assessment Worthing Borough is typically the first stage of the bat survey process. This survey involves a daytime inspection of buildings and trees by a qualified ecologist.
During the survey, the ecologist assesses the structure for features capable of supporting bat roosts. This includes inspecting roof spaces, external features and surrounding habitats.
The survey usually involves:
- inspection of roof structures and loft spaces
- assessment of external building features and crevices
- inspection of trees with roost potential
- identification of bat droppings or staining
- assessment of surrounding habitats used by bats
The survey also considers nearby habitats such as woodland edges, rivers, parks and green corridors that may support bats for commuting or feeding. The results of the preliminary roost assessment determine whether further bat surveys are required.
Bat Emergence Survey Worthing Borough
Where buildings or trees have moderate or high bat roost potential, additional activity surveys may be recommended.
A bat emergence survey Worthing Borough involves observing bats leaving a roost at dusk or returning at dawn. Ecologists use acoustic detectors to record ultrasonic bat calls during the survey.
These recordings allow specialists to undertake bat species identification and confirm the species present on site.
The survey helps determine:
- whether bats are present
- the species using the roost
- the number of bats involved
- how bats use the structure
This information helps planning authorities assess potential impacts on protected species and determine whether mitigation measures may be required.
Reporting and Planning Submission
Following completion of surveys, the findings are compiled into a professional report suitable for planning submission. The report explains the bat roost survey results, ecological context and whether bats are likely to be affected by development.
This report allows Worthing Borough Council, planning consultants and architects to understand ecological constraints and make informed decisions. It sets out the survey methods used, site conditions, roost potential, evidence recorded and the likely impact of the proposed works.
Where no bats are present, this can help planning applications proceed without further ecological requirements, subject to local authority review. Where bats are present, the report provides clear recommendations to support planning, including mitigation, further survey work or licensing advice where required.
Recommendations may include timing controls, sensitive working methods, lighting advice, retention of roost features, replacement roost provision or support with a Natural England licence where a roost could be affected.
The report is prepared in a clear, planning-ready format so it can be submitted with planning applications, condition discharge documents or supporting ecological information. This helps applicants address protected species requirements early and reduces the risk of avoidable delays during validation, consultation or determination.
Mitigation and Licensing Support
Where bats are confirmed during survey work, ecologists may recommend mitigation measures to ensure development does not negatively affect protected species and complies with relevant legislation. Mitigation measures can include:
- Timing of works to avoid disturbance
- Retention of roost features where possible
- Installation of bat boxes or alternative roosting habitat
Mitigation strategies are designed based on survey findings and site conditions, ensuring impacts are avoided or reduced where possible and aligned with recognised ecological guidance. In some cases, a protected species licence may be required before works proceed, particularly where roosts could be affected. These measures help support habitat preservation, maintain bat populations and allow development works to proceed while maintaining appropriate ecological safeguards and compliance with planning requirements, supporting sustainable development outcomes.
Bat Survey Season and Timelines
Some bat surveys are seasonal because they rely on recording bat activity. Activity surveys such as emergence and re-entry surveys are typically undertaken between May and September, when bats are most active.
Multiple surveys may be required depending on the potential suitability of a roost and the type of development proposed.
Because of these seasonal constraints, early ecological advice is recommended. Booking surveys early helps avoid delays to planning applications and ensures surveys can be completed within the appropriate survey season.
Preliminary roost assessments can usually be undertaken at any time of year and are often the first step in determining whether activity surveys will be required.
Bat Survey Costs and Timescales
The cost of a bat survey Worthing Borough depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of the building or site, accessibility and the potential suitability of features for bats. Properties with roof voids, crevices, older structures, mature trees or nearby green corridors may require more detailed assessment.
A preliminary roost assessment is usually the first stage of the process. This survey helps determine whether further surveys are required and provides an initial understanding of bat roost potential. Where no evidence or suitable features are identified, this may be sufficient for planning, subject to Worthing Borough Council review.
Where bat activity surveys are required, multiple visits may be necessary during the survey season. These visits are usually scheduled between May and September, when bats are active and weather conditions are suitable for reliable survey results.
The overall timeline therefore depends on survey requirements, seasonal constraints, site access and planning deadlines. Early instruction is recommended, especially where demolition, roof works, extensions or tree works are proposed. Booking early helps avoid delays and allows enough time for reporting, recommendations and any further ecological advice needed to support planning submission.
Local Planning Policy and Ecological Considerations
Planning authorities across England are required to consider biodiversity and protected species when determining planning applications. Worthing Borough Council therefore expects planning proposals to demonstrate that potential impacts on protected species have been properly assessed.
Local planning policies often require ecological information where development proposals could affect habitats capable of supporting protected species. Surveys such as bat surveys may therefore be requested as part of planning applications.
Ecological surveys help planning officers determine whether development proposals comply with national planning policy and environmental legislation. The information gathered during surveys helps ensure that development proposals consider biodiversity alongside design and environmental considerations.
Where bats are present, mitigation measures or licensing processes may be required. These processes ensure that development proceeds in a way that complies with wildlife protection laws while supporting biodiversity conservation.
Bat Habitats and Development in Worthing Borough
Worthing Borough contains a diverse mixture of coastal urban development, residential neighbourhoods and surrounding green infrastructure that can support bat populations. Many residential areas contain mature gardens, tree lines and green corridors that provide suitable commuting routes for bats moving between feeding habitats.
Older buildings across areas such as Tarring, Broadwater and Goring-by-Sea may contain roof voids, crevices or cavities capable of supporting bat roosts. Churches, historic buildings and agricultural structures within the wider landscape of West Sussex can also provide roosting opportunities.
Nearby habitats such as Brooklands Park, Highdown Hill and coastal green spaces provide foraging habitats where bats can feed on insects. Insect populations are particularly abundant around water features and sheltered vegetation, making these areas attractive to insectivorous bats.
The surrounding landscape of West Sussex also supports ecological networks that connect woodland edges, farmland hedgerows and river corridors. These habitats can act as commuting routes for bats travelling between roosts and feeding areas.
Understanding how development proposals interact with these landscape features is an important part of ecological assessment. Bat surveys help ensure that development proposals consider potential impacts on bats while supporting wider bat conservation efforts and local conservation projects across the region.
What You Receive From a Bat Survey
A professional bat survey report prepared by ACP Consultants provides clear, planning-ready ecological documentation suitable for submission with planning applications or to support the discharge of planning conditions where required. The report is structured so it can be reviewed efficiently by planning officers, ecological consultees, architects and project teams involved in development proposals.
This ensures ecological information is presented in a format that aligns with national planning guidance and recognised ecological standards. The report explains the survey process, findings and any ecological considerations relevant to the site.
Typical contents include:
- a detailed site description and ecological context – outlining the property location, building type and surrounding habitat features that may influence bat activity and roost potential.
- assessment of bat roost potential within buildings or trees – identifying features such as roof voids, crevices, cavities or tree features capable of supporting bats.
- results of surveys and bat species identification – explaining survey findings and confirming whether bats are present.
- evaluation of potential development impacts – assessing how proposed works may affect bats or roosting features.
- recommendations for mitigation or further survey work – outlining whether additional surveys or ecological measures may be required.
- planning-ready ecological documentation suitable for submission – ensuring the report provides clear evidence for planning authorities reviewing the proposal.
Need a Bat Survey for Your Planning Application?
Whether you’re at pre-application stage or ready to submit, we’ll carry out your bat survey and provide a planning-ready report aligned with local authority requirements across Worthing Borough.
Local Coverage Across Worthing Borough
Our ecologists undertake bat surveys across Worthing Borough, supporting planning applications, property works and development proposals in Worthing, Goring-by-Sea, Durrington, Broadwater, Tarring, Salvington, Offington and High Salvington. These areas include a mix of coastal neighbourhoods, older housing stock, mature gardens, parks, roof spaces, tree lines and green corridors that may provide suitable bat roosting or foraging habitat.
We also provide bat surveys in West Sussex and nationwide ecological services across England, helping homeowners, architects, planning consultants and developers obtain clear survey findings, planning-ready reports and practical ecological advice for local authority submissions.
Common Project Types in Worthing Borough
Development projects commonly requiring bat surveys in Worthing Borough include residential extensions and loft conversions, demolition and redevelopment of buildings, refurbishment of older residential properties, barn conversions and rural development, tree removal or woodland management, and infrastructure or lighting projects.
Many projects involve buildings with roof voids, crevices or surrounding habitats capable of supporting bats, particularly within older residential areas and properties close to woodland edges, parks or green corridors. External lighting schemes, roof alterations and redevelopment works may also require ecological assessment where bats could be affected. Bat surveys help homeowners, developers and planning consultants understand ecological constraints early in the planning process and support planning applications with clear ecological evidence and recommendations.
Why Choose ACP Consultants
ACP Consultants provides bat surveys in England supporting planning applications and development proposals. Our ecology team includes experienced consultants familiar with national ecological guidance and best practice survey standards. Our work supports homeowners, developers and planning consultants across West Sussex and helps ensure ecological considerations are addressed early in the planning process.
We focus on delivering clear, practical ecological advice that can be used confidently within planning submissions. Our reports are structured so they can be reviewed efficiently by planning officers, ecological consultees, architects and project teams, helping developments progress while ensuring protected species considerations are properly assessed.
Our service includes:
- experienced and qualified bat ecologists
- surveys aligned with recognised ecological guidance
- clear planning-ready ecological reports
- quality assurance and peer review processes
- support for mitigation and licensing where required
ACP Consultants works across a wide range of projects, from small residential developments to larger schemes requiring ecological input as part of planning and environmental assessments.
References and Useful Resources
- Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) – Bat Survey Guidelines for UK Homeowners
- CIEEM – What to Expect from a Bat Survey: Homeowner guide to survey stages, reporting and outcomes
- CIEEM – Bat Mitigation Guidelines (2025): Best practice guidance for mitigation design and implementation
- GOV.UK – Bats: Advice for Making Planning Decisions
- GOV.UK – Bats: Protection, Surveys and Licences
- GOV.UK – Protected Species: How to Review Planning Applications: Guidance for assessing ecological impacts within planning decisions
- Natural England – Bat Advice Service (BAS) Updates and Guidance
- Bat Conservation Trust – British Bat Survey (Passive Acoustic Surveys)
- Bat Conservation Trust – Contacting an Ecological Consultant: Advice on engaging a qualified bat ecologist for surveys and planning
- Bat Conservation Trust – Planning and the Law: Overview of legal protections and planning considerations for bats
- Bat Conservation Trust – Building or Development Works: Guidance on managing bats during construction and development
- Bat Conservation Trust – Planning and Infrastructure Act: Policy context affecting biodiversity and development
- Bat Conservation Trust – Planning and Infrastructure Policy Update (2026): Latest developments in planning and biodiversity policy
- Bat Conservation Trust – National Bat Monitoring Programme Surveys
Local References and Useful Resources
- Adur & Worthing Councils – Worthing Planning Policy: Biodiversity, Environment and Open Space: Council planning policy resource page bringing together Worthing’s biodiversity and green infrastructure evidence base. It includes ecological studies and biodiversity monitoring material relevant to ecology planning policy in Bat Survey for bats and wider environmental planning context in Worthing Borough.
- Adur & Worthing Councils – Annual Monitoring Report (Worthing): The council’s main monitoring page for Worthing planning policy. It links to the current and previous biodiversity annual monitoring reports and is useful as an official council source for policy performance and biodiversity monitoring in the borough.
- Adur & Worthing Councils – Worthing Local Plan 2020–2036: Worthing’s local plan document, setting the broader planning policy framework for development, biodiversity, green infrastructure and environmental protection across the borough. Search results for the plan reference protected species records held by the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre and biodiversity policy requirements.
- Sussex Bat Group – Bat Records: Explains that Sussex bat records are collated and managed by the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre on behalf of the Sussex Bat Group, which is useful background for local bat data and desk study context in Worthing Borough.
- Sussex Wildlife Trust – Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre: Background page explaining the role of the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre in collecting and disseminating wildlife data for the whole of Sussex. Useful supporting context for ecology data sources linked to planning and bat survey work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Bat surveys in Worthing Borough are often required to support planning applications where development may affect buildings, trees or habitats with bat roost potential. As bats are protected under UK wildlife legislation, surveys help demonstrate compliance with planning requirements and protected species regulations. A bat survey typically begins with a preliminary roost assessment, followed by bat emergence surveys if needed, providing clear ecological evidence to support planning submissions and avoid delays at validation or determination stage.
Do I need a bat survey for planning permission in Worthing Borough?
Planning authorities may request a bat survey Worthing Borough where development proposals could affect buildings, trees or habitats capable of supporting bats. Because bats are protected species under UK wildlife protection laws and protected species regulations, planning officers must consider potential impacts on bat roosts before determining planning applications.
What triggers bat surveys for planning in Worthing Borough?
Common triggers for bat surveys for planning Worthing Borough include roof alterations, demolition works, barn conversions, removal of mature trees and development near woodland edges, rivers or coastal habitats that bats may use for commuting or feeding.
Are bats common in Worthing Borough and West Sussex?
Yes. Worthing Borough contains coastal habitats, parks, residential gardens and woodland edges that support insect populations used by insectivorous bats for feeding. These habitats provide suitable commuting routes and foraging areas across the wider West Sussex landscape.
What bat species occur in West Sussex?
Commonly recorded species include common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, noctule and brown long-eared bats. Bat species identification during surveys helps ecologists understand how different species use buildings, trees and surrounding habitats.
What is a preliminary roost assessment in Worthing Borough?
A preliminary roost assessment Worthing Borough is a daytime ecological inspection of buildings or trees undertaken by a qualified ecologist. The survey identifies features capable of supporting bat roosting sites, such as crevices, roof spaces or cavities within structures or trees.
What is a bat emergence survey in Worthing Borough?
A bat emergence survey Worthing Borough records bats leaving a roost at dusk or returning at dawn. Acoustic detectors capture ultrasonic bat calls, allowing ecologists to undertake bat species identification and confirm how bats use the site.
When is bat survey season in the UK?
Bat activity surveys are typically undertaken between May and September when bats are active. Preliminary roost assessments can usually be undertaken throughout the year to determine whether further surveys are required.
How long does a bat survey take?
A preliminary roost assessment typically takes a few hours depending on building size and site complexity. If further surveys are required, activity surveys may involve several visits during the survey season.
What happens if bats are found during a survey?
Development may still proceed if bats are present, but mitigation measures or licensing may be required. Survey findings help ensure development complies with protected species regulations and wildlife protection laws.
Can bat surveys support environmental impact assessments?
Yes. Bat surveys may contribute ecological information for larger developments requiring environmental impact assessments or wider ecological studies where habitats could support protected species.
Are there bat conservation efforts or local conservation projects in West Sussex?
Yes. There are ongoing bat conservation efforts and local conservation projects across West Sussex that help protect habitats used by bats, including woodland edges, hedgerows, parks and river corridors.
Do bats migrate or move across the landscape in West Sussex?
Some species follow seasonal bat migration patterns, while others move locally between roosting and feeding habitats. Bats often use landscape features such as hedgerows, tree lines and river corridors as commuting routes.
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- Last Updated:
- October 2026
Disclaimer: Our content is prepared by ACP Consultants’ in-house specialists and is based on current guidance, standards, and best practice in environmental consultancy. While we make every effort to keep information accurate and up to date, it is provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice on specific projects. Planning authorities retain final decision-making powers, and requirements may vary between local authorities and over time. ACP Consultants accepts no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this content without obtaining tailored advice for your project.