Bat Surveys
Bespoke Bat Survey Services for Planning & Development
Providing expert-led bat surveys to support your project, ensuring compliance with wildlife legislation while delivering practical, tailored solutions.
Bats are a legally protected species in the UK, and their presence can have significant implications for planning applications and development projects. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, it is an offence to harm, disturb, or destroy bats and their roosts, even if bats are not present at the time of works.
At Quantock Ecology, we provide specialist bat survey services designed to help architects, planners, and developers navigate these legal requirements while ensuring their projects move forward efficiently. Our team of expert ecologists delivers bespoke, high-quality assessments, working closely with clients to provide clear, practical solutions that align with planning policies and conservation legislation.
To find out more about bats, planning and the law, click here to view the Bat Conservation Trust’s overview.
Expert Guidance & Client-Focused Support
The Team at Quantock Ecology understand that encountering bats during the planning process can feel like a challenge—but with the right expertise, it does not have to disrupt your project. Our team specialises in delivering strategic, high-quality bat surveys and reporting, ensuring that bats and their roosts are accurately assessed and reported while keeping your development on track.
With careful planning and expert guidance, we seamlessly integrate preliminary assessments, advanced surveys, and licensing support into your project timeline, ensuring compliance with UK legislation and planning policies. Whether you’re undertaking a small-scale renovation or a large commercial development, we provide clear, proactive solutions that allow your project to move forward with confidence.
Our experienced ecologists work closely with planners, architects, and developers, offering realistic timescales and a tailored approach to meet your specific project needs. With Quantock Ecology’s expertise, you can be assured of a smooth, efficient process from start to finish.
Comprehensive Bat Survey Services
We offer a full range of bat surveys, ensuring that all ecological requirements are met at each stage of your project.
Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)
A first-stage bat survey to assess buildings, trees, and structures for potential bat roosts. This can be conducted year-round and determines whether further surveys are required.
Emergence & Roost Characterisation Surveys (Presence/Likely Absence Surveys)
Seasonal dusk and dawn surveys used to confirm bat presence, species, and roost types. These surveys are essential for developments where PRAs indicate potential bat activity.
Mist Net & Transect Surveys
Specialist surveys used to identify bat activity and movement patterns across a site, often required for larger developments or sensitive ecological areas.
European Protected Species Licences (EPSL)
If bats are confirmed on site, we provide full support in securing the necessary licences from Natural England, ensuring your project complies with legal requirements.
Mitigation & Enhancement Plans
Our team designs and implements tailored mitigation strategies to ensure that bat populations are protected while allowing development to proceed in line with planning and conservation guidelines.
Preliminary Roost Assessment
The Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) is the first stage of bat surveying, providing an initial evaluation of a site’s suitability for bats. Also known as a scoping survey or bat and bird survey, a PRA can be conducted on buildings, trees, and other structures to determine their potential habitat value for bats.
PRAs are conducted during daylight hours, allowing our experienced ecologists to thoroughly inspect a site for:
🦇 Potential roosting features such as cracks, crevices, or loft spaces
🦇 Signs of bat presence including droppings, feeding remains, or staining
🦇 Habitat suitability for bat foraging and commuting
A PRA can be carried out at any time of year, making it a valuable first step in the ecological assessment process. If no further evidence of bats is found, this may be sufficient for your planning application. However, if potential roosting features are identified, your consultant may recommend Emergence Surveys to confirm whether bats are actively using the site.
Our team will guide you through the process, ensuring that surveys are planned efficiently to keep your project on track.
Emergence Surveys and Further Surveys
If a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) identifies potential bat presence, a Phase 2 survey—such as a Bat Emergence and Re-Entry Survey (BERS)—may be required. These surveys provide critical data on bat activity, species identification, and roost characteristics, helping to inform planning decisions and mitigation strategies.
Types of Further Bat Surveys:
🦇 Emergence & Re-Entry Surveys – Conducted at dusk or dawn to observe bats leaving or returning to a roost.
🦇 Bat Activity Surveys – Assessing bat foraging and commuting behaviour across a site.
🦇 Hibernation Surveys – Identifying bat presence in winter hibernation sites.
🦇 Endoscope Inspections – Using specialist equipment to inspect hard-to-reach roosting features.
🦇 Aerial Tree Assessments – Using climbing surveys to assess trees for bat presence.
Survey Timings & Planning Considerations
Emergence and re-entry surveys are seasonally constrained, taking place between May and September, with the optimal period between mid-May and August.
With extensive experience in bat surveying, our team ensures that all data collation and reporting meet planning and licensing requirements, allowing your project to proceed smoothly and in compliance with UK legislation and planning.
To avoid delays in the planning process, we strongly recommend early engagement to ensure surveys can be scheduled within the required timeframe.Your consultant will be more than happy to discuss the need for further surveys and work closely with you to ensure deadlines can be met or work within your projects timescales where possible.
EPSL Applications
EPSL Applications (Bat Mitigation Licensing)
Where bats are confirmed on-site and will be impacted by a development, an European Protected Species Licence (EPSL) is required. Also known as a Bat Mitigation Licence, this legal document is issued by Natural England and ensures that development can proceed while safeguarding bat populations.
At Quantock Ecology, we have over 20 years of expertise in bat mitigation licensing, supporting clients through the entire EPSL application process. Our consultants are registered with CIEEM and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), ensuring professional, high-quality applications with a strong track record of successful approvals.
What Does an EPSL Involve?
🦇Robust and expert application made to Natural England from one of our experienced licensed ecologists
🦇Detailed bat survey data from Emergence and Re-Entry Surveys and site checks
🦇 A mitigation strategy tailored to protect the affected bat population
🦇 Implementation of roost compensation measures, such as:
- Bat boxes or bat tubes within buildings
- Loft space modifications for continued bat use
- Standalone bat structures, such as bat barns
We work closely with Natural England, planning authorities, and developers, ensuring that licence applications are robust, compliant, and efficiently processed. Our team is available to guide you through each stage, providing strategic support to secure the best possible outcome for both your development and local bat populations.
Get in Touch
We understand that ecological requirements can be complex, but with the right guidance, they do not have to delay your project. Our team works closely with clients, planning authorities, and regulatory bodies to provide strategic advice, practical solutions, and a seamless planning process.
For a tailored consultation or to request a bat survey for your project, get in touch with our team today.
Services
Bat Surveys
Expert bat surveys for planning applications, ensuring compliance with UK wildlife laws. Our team conduct Preliminary Roost Assessments (PRAs) and Emergence Surveys to assess bat presence and activity.
Mitigation Plans
Tailored ecological mitigation and enhancement plans to support development projects while protecting biodiversity. We provide bespoke strategies to align with planning requirements and conservation goals.
EPS Licences
Specialist support in securing European Protected Species (EPS) licences, guiding you through the Natural England application process to ensure legal and efficient project progression.
