A Variety of Bat Habitats require a bat survey Cardiff
Cardiff provides a diverse range of habitats for bats, thanks to its mix of urban, suburban, and rural environments. From parkland and river corridors to woodland and historic buildings, this south Wales city and its outlying areas offer plenty of foraging and roosting sites for this protected species.
The UK is home to 17 species of bat. Roosting bats may be found in houses, barns, shed, trees or hedgerows. As a listed protected species, bats are given high priority due to falling population numbers.
Development poses a major hazard to bats; even minor works can easily disturb bats, while larger projects might alter or destroy buildings and trees used by roosting bats. If your planning application has the potential to disturb bats or their roosts, a bat survey in Cardiff is often required by the local planning authority.
Protected Species: Bat Conservation
While the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) manages protection of bats all over the country, organisations like the Cardiff Bat Group play a crucial role in conserving bats in south Wales. Volunteers are actively involved in bat roost monitoring, rescue and rehabilitation.
Bat Activity in Cardiff
Bat species noted during ecology surveys in Cardiff include the common pipistrelle; soprano pipistrelle; brown long-eared bat; Daubenton’s bat and the noctule bat.
Bat Protection Laws in Wales
All species of bat in the UK, and their roosts, are legally protected under domestic and international legislation including the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In Wales, this is enforced by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
It is illegal to kill, injure or capture a bat, recklessly disturb bats or their roosts, damage or destroy a bat roost, even if bats are not currently present. A European protected species licence is needed to relocate or disturb bats.
What Triggers a Bat Survey in Cardiff?
Usually it’s because evidence of bat presence is detected during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, ecology surveys like Environmental Impact Assessments, or bat sightings.
You may need a bat survey Cardiff if your development includes loft conversions, roof works, building demolition or any development where there’s known bat activity in close proximity. Cardiff Council and NRW are likely to request bat surveys or ecology surveys if any of these risk factors apply.
The Bat Survey Process
Stage 1 is the Preliminary Roost Assessment during which an ecologist inspects the site for any potential bat roosting place, bat carcases, feeding remains, bat droppings and other signs of occupancy such as a maternity roost. The Preliminary Roost Assessment report will include a method statement, observations and a recommendation to the local council’s planning department that planning permission is granted if bat presence is ruled out. If the survey finds that bat presence cannot be eliminated, further bat surveys, ecology surveys or Environmental Impact Assessments may be needed.
The second stage surveys, known as Emergence and Re-entry Surveys (BERS), are needed if there is evidence of bat activity, or the site has potential to support bats. These bat activity surveys consist of several dusk and dawn surveys being carried out by multiple ecologists. BERS take place between the summer months of May and September and involve ecologists observing potential entry and exit points for bats. They will use advanced equipment such as specialist detectors to assess species and population sizes based on echolocation calls.
Depending on the site, 1-3 surveys may be needed to meet planning authority requirements. Reports from these bat activity surveys will include a method statement, the bat species identified and roost status (such as maternity roost) and recommendations for mitigation measures, such as installing bat boxes to allow a planning application to proceed.
Licensing requirements (if applicable) will be submitted to the local authority and advice will be given on applying for a bat mitigation licence application from NRW or any other protected species licence. The report might indicate the need for further European protected species surveys such as badger surveys, ecology surveys or Environmental Impact Assessments to assist your project through the planning process.
Reach out for a Bat Survey Quote in South Wales
Our qualified bat surveyors hold the correct NRW licenses and are experienced in working with Cardiff Council’s planning process, carrying out ecology surveys and bat surveys that conform with legislation in the Wildlife and Countryside Act. If a European protected species licence is required to relocate bats or destroy a bat roost, we can assist with the licence application process.
We can provide expert advice to support your planning application when it comes to bat surveys in Cardiff. Contact us by filling in our online quote form or talk to us by phone and we will send a free quote for your bat survey Cardiff. If you would like to accept the quote, we will arrange a suitable time for the survey.