Bat surveys and the planning process
If you’re planning a development project in Coventry, whether it’s a new build, a barn conversion, roof works or a commercial development, it’s important to consider the possible presence of bats. As a legally protected species in the UK, bats and their roosts must be taken into account at an early stage during the planning process and local authorities are likely to require bat surveys to accompany a planning application.
Bat Activity in Coventry – Habitats and Species
Coventry is a green and biodiverse city with a mix of urban parks, ancient woodland, and historic buildings that provide excellent habitats for bats. The River Sowe and River Sherbourne corridors, along with areas like Coombe Country Park and Allesley Park, are ideal foraging grounds. Old buildings, bridges, and tree-lined avenues also offer ideal spaces for this protected species: environmental managers should be aware of bats and other protected and notable species.
Common bat species in Coventry
These include the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat, Daubenton’s bat and the noctule bat. These bats are active from spring through autumn, and many buildings, particularly pre-20th century structures and rural outbuildings, can support roosting bats.
Bat Groups in Coventry
The Warwickshire Bat Group, which covers Coventry and surrounding areas, is instrumental in protecting bat populations locally. Members support bat surveys, ecological surveys, monitoring, public education and rescue injured bats. Their data often inform ecological assessments and support local authorities across the region. Bats UK-wide are monitored by the Bat Conservation Trust.
Bat Protection Laws
All UK bat species and their roosts are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Together, these laws make it an offence to deliberately capture, injure, or kill a bat; disturb a bat or obstruct access to its roost or damage or destroy a roost (even if bats are not present at the time).
This means that if your proposed development site in Coventry might affect bats or their habitat, you must undertake a bat survey in Coventry, and any other protected species surveys required, to comply with planning regulations.
When Is a Bat Survey Required?
You may need a bat survey if your project involves renovation or demolition of buildings, roof works, loft conversions, tree removal or development near woodland, bridges or watercourses.
Coventry City Council’s planning team, along with Natural England (the statutory nature conservation body), will require evidence that bats have been appropriately considered before granting planning permission for a planning application.
The Bat Survey Process
A bat survey comprises an early stage initial assessment, followed by detailed stages, reporting and mitigation advice if required. The need for a bat survey may be promoted by a preliminary ecological appraisal of a site, or bat sightings. Discovering bats on a development site does not mean the end of your scheme but it does mean that there will be certain ecological constraints to observe.
Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)
If a preliminary ecological appraisal identifies bats, the first step is the PRA which involves a visual inspection of buildings or trees to check for signs of bat activity or roosting features. Licensed ecological consultants will look for roosting bats, bat droppings, staining, crevices, and other indicators. This can be done year-round. If other protected species are identified, further protected species surveys may be required such as surveys for great crested newts or other European protected species.
Bat Emergence and Re-entry Surveys (BERS)
If the Preliminary Roost Assessment identifies moderate or high bat potential, dusk and dawn re entry surveys are required. Bat emergence surveys take place between May and September, when bats are most active, and involve trained ecological consultants using bat detectors to observe bats entering or leaving a structure. Using bat detectors, ecologists will identify bat species and population numbers.
The number of bat emergence surveys depends on the level of bat activity observed and the roost potential. Typically, 1–3 visits are required to meet local planning authority and Natural England guidelines.
Bat Survey Report
A detailed report is compiled to support your planning application. It includes survey methods and results; species identified and roost status; assessment of development impact; recommendations, legal compliance and proposed mitigation measures for protected species, if required.
Bat Mitigation Measures and Licensing
If bats or roosts are confirmed following ecological surveys and the development will affect them, mitigation is essential. This could involve adjusting the timing of works, installing bat boxes, creating new roosts or retaining access for roosting bats in the new design.
Where necessary, a licensed ecologist can apply for a bat mitigation licence on a client’s behalf, which legally permits the disturbance or relocation of bats under strict controls.
Choosing the Right Ecology Consultancy
When selecting a team to undertake your bat emergence surveys, the first step is to ensure that you engage licensed ecological consultants: professionals holding Natural England bat survey licences; they may also be members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. They should have local knowledge; familiarity with Coventry’s ecology and planning system will help speed up planning permission approvals. It’s also helpful if the firm can offer full ecological services from initial assessments of notable species, to ecology surveys, mitigation and licensing.
Book Your Bat Survey in Coventry
Our expert ecology consultancy can help, providing fast, reliable and fully compliant bat surveys to help you meet your planning goals while protecting Coventry’s bat populations. Whether you need preliminary ecological advice or already have a request for bat emergence surveys from the local planning authority, our experienced team is here to support your development plans every step of the way and help you overcome obstacles through the correct mitigation. We can also help with a range of ecological services and protected species surveys including badgers and great crested newts.
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 surveys (or any other protected species surveys). If you would like to accept the quote, we will arrange a suitable time for the survey.