Ecological Value in the East Midlands
In the East Midlands region are the counties of Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire, as well as an array of easily recognisable cities and towns including Lincoln, Northampton, Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.
A combination of urban and rural spaces makes up the East Midlands region, displaying a mix of developed cities, populated towns and seemingly endless countryside landscapes. As a result, the region has a variety of different infrastructures, making it possible for many of the UK’s bat species to create viable habitats, building bat roosts in buildings, trees and hedges.
Bats Roosting in the East Midlands
Multiple factors such as the quality of the environment, the number of suitable roosting locations and the climate can point towards the presence of certain bat species. Looking specifically at the species of bats in the East Midlands region, bats in each county include:
Derbyshire
- Barbastelle bat
- Brandt’s bat
- Brown long-eared bat
- Daubenton’s bat
- Leisler’s bat
- Natterer’s bat
- Noctule bat
- Pipistrelle bat
- Serotine bat
- Whiskered bat
Leicestershire
- Brandt’s bat
- Brown long-eared bat
- Daubenton’s bat
- Natterer’s bat
- Noctule bat
- Pipistrelle bat
- Whiskered bat
Lincolnshire
- Alcathoe bat
- Barbastelle bat
- Bechstein’s bat
- Brandt’s bat
- Brown long-eared bat
- Greater horseshoe bat
- Grey long-eared bat
- Lesser horseshoe bat
- Noctule bat
- Pipistrelle bat
- Whiskered bat
Northamptonshire
- Alcathoe bat
- Barbastelle bat
- Brandt’s bat
- Brown long-eared bat
- Daubenton’s bat
- Greater horseshoe bat
- Grey long-eared bat
- Leisler’s bat
- Lesser horseshoe bat
- Natterer’s bat
- Noctule bat
- Pipistrelle bat
- Serotine bat
- Whiskered bat
Nottinghamshire
- Brandt’s bat
- Brown long-eared bat
- Daubenton’s bat
- Leisler’s bat
- Natterer’s bat
- Noctule bat
- Pipistrelle bat
- Serotine bat
- Whiskered bat
Rutland
- Brandt’s bat
- Brown long-eared bat
- Daubenton’s bat
- Natterer’s bat
- Noctule bat
- Pipistrelle bat
- Whiskered bat
According to UK law, certain legislation makes the disturbance of bats and other European protected species in a wide range of forms illegal and likely to lead to prosecution. Between this factor and the important task of avoiding potentially costly or lengthy delays in your planning project caused by ecological issues, referring to a licensed ecologist for a bat survey on your development site if you suspect that bat species are present couldn’t be more crucial.
Assessing Bat Habitats
Depending on whether or not evidence of bats has already been identified, a bat survey can start in one of two ways: either a developer has already been aware of bats on their property or has been told by their local planning authority that a bat survey is required to support planning applications based on a presence of bat species in the area, or the results of a broader Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) has indicated that bats are on the site. Either way, the first step in surveying bats on a development site or property would be through what is known as a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA).
A baseline bat survey, the Preliminary Roost Assessment is an opportunity for a qualified bat ecologist to review the site and property for more information on the bat presence. At this point, they can speak directly to the developer to understand the nature of the development and gauge whether it is likely to impact bats on the site based on their roosting location. During a thorough inspection, the ecological consultant will aim to identify evidence of bats such as carcasses, droppings, prey remains or likely roosting locations.
Immediately after the PRA, the ecologist will develop a bat survey report to detail the findings from the survey, as well as effective next steps that will enable the project to go ahead despite the presence of bats. It can also be decided that other protected species surveys are needed, with examples including barn owl surveys, great crested newt surveys and reptile surveys. If, however, the ecologist determines that roosting bats could be impacted by the development or they simply don’t have enough data after the survey, a secondary assessment known as a Bat Emergence and Re-Entry Survey (BERS) or bat activity surveys will be required.
Over the course of multiple visits during dusk and dawn, one or several bat ecologists will monitor the site for bats entering and exiting. The bat emergence survey will then help to illustrate where the bats are roosting on the site and, using specialist equipment, what species of bat are on the site based on the sounds of their echolocation calls. Data from dawn re-entry surveys can then demonstrate to the local planning authority that all necessary information has been collected, allowing for necessary measures that will enable the development to progress, leaving no reason to reject an application for planning permission.
Plan Your Bat Survey Today
As with any stage in the planning process, ensuring a high-quality and reliable service is key. The same could be said for bat surveys, other ecology surveys and further surveys to support planning. Turning to a service provider with the necessary experience, knowledge and expertise will eliminate any delays or stumbling blocks further down the line, particularly when it comes to successfully acquiring planning consent from the local authority.
Our ecologists are suitably qualified and advanced in surveying sites and buildings where bat species are present. We also have coverage across the UK, meaning that we are able to undertake bat surveys on your site in the East Midlands, regardless of location. It also means that you won’t suffer any frustrating delays, and a bat survey can be booked with our team and conducted quickly, as can any applications for mitigation licences made to Natural England.
To make the first step in appeasing your local planning authority and progressing your submission for a planning application, speak to our team and we can supply you with a free quote before arranging a suitable time to undertake a bat survey on your site. We can also point you in the direction of other European protected species surveys if great crested newts or water voles, for example, are found on your site. You can call us on the number at the top of this page, fill out a quick quote form or check out the other options on our contact page.