If your ecologist, local authority, planning consultant or Preliminary Ecological Appraisal report has identified the need for a bat roost assessment, bat emergence survey or bat activity survey, Green Shoots Ecology can help you complete the next stage.
We carry out bat surveys for planning applications, demolition works, tree works and development projects. Our surveys and reports are designed to provide the information needed by local planning authorities and to help your project move forward without unnecessary delay.
All British bat species are protected, and their roosts are also protected whether bats are present at the time or not. This means that works affecting buildings, trees or other structures may need a bat survey before planning permission can be granted or before works can lawfully proceed.
Green Shoots Ecology can provide:
- Preliminary Roost Assessments of buildings
- Preliminary Roost Assessments of trees
- dusk emergence surveys
- bat activity transect surveys
- static bat detector activity surveys
- bat survey reports for planning
- advice on mitigation, enhancement and licensing where required
Bats can roost in many different places, including roof spaces, gaps under tiles, soffits, fascias, hanging tiles, cracks in brickwork, crevices in trees, dense ivy, tunnels, bridges and other sheltered features. They may also forage and commute along hedgerows, treelines, woodland edges, rough grassland, gardens, ponds, rivers and other habitats.
A Preliminary Roost Assessment is usually the first stage for buildings or trees. This checks for evidence of bats and assesses whether suitable roosting features are present. These assessments can normally be carried out at any time of year.
If the building or tree has suitable bat roost potential, or if evidence of bats is found, further emergence surveys would be needed for buildings. These surveys involve surveyors watching the building at dusk using bat detectors and infra-red cameras to check whether bats are leaving a roost. For trees with potential to contain bat maternity roosts, climbing surveys are required to check for roosts. These surveys are seasonal and are usually carried out between May and September, with the main survey season generally falling between May and August.
Bat activity surveys may also be required where a development could affect bat foraging or commuting habitat. These surveys help assess how bats use the site and surrounding habitats, and include walked transects and use of static bat detectors left on site for 5 consecutive days.
Because some bat surveys are seasonal, it is best to arrange them as early as possible. Missing the survey window can delay a planning application or the start of works.
Following the survey, Green Shoots Ecology provides a clear report suitable for submission with your planning application. Where bats or bat roosts are present, we can advise on the practical next steps, including mitigation, enhancements and whether a Natural England licence may be required.
Please contact Green Shoots Ecology if you have been asked to provide a bat roost assessment, bat emergence survey or bat activity survey. We will be happy to review your site details and provide a clear quote.