Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment
Development proposals are capable of putting various bat species and existing roosts in danger. Buildings accommodate roosting bats with potential roosting features, and when this happens, constructing, extending or demolishing a property suddenly becomes an activity that could seriously affect bats present on the structure or somewhere else on the development site.
UK law enforced a legal obligation to protect bats, listing them as legally protected and setting restrictions around harm coming to them in the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Even on sites with negligible suitability for roosting bats, an internal and external inspection would be needed to rule out any chance of harming them.
A preliminary roost assessment (PRA) is stage 1 in the bat survey process, consisting of a comprehensive evaluation of the site for signs of the presence of bats conducted by experienced ecologists. PRA surveys will not only safeguard bats and ensure that relevant legislation is followed, but by arranging an assessment, it will be possible to submit a viable planning application to the local council.
What is a Preliminary Roost Assessment?
Also known as a bat scoping survey, a preliminary roost assessment (PRA) is the initial assessment in the search for evidence of bats on a development site. In a detailed inspection, professional ecologists will look for signs of bats, such as bat droppings, feeding remains of prey and urine stains. Another consideration will be potential roosting sites and features, such as gable ends, hanging tiles, slate roofs, weather-boarding and nearby tree lines.
Every part of the site and property will be inspected for any possible indication of bats and bat roosts, and the ecologist will complete the process by choosing a suitability category. High suitability sites will immediately need further surveys, but depending on the circumstances, even a low suitability site could require other necessary bat surveys as a precaution.
If an ecological consultant sees that further survey work is required after a preliminary roost assessment survey, stage 2 in the process is known as a bat emergence survey, bat activity survey, bat emergence and re-entry survey (BERS), or dusk emergence and dawn re-entry surveys. Developers need a bat emergence survey to monitor and record bat presence in potential access points and exit points across the site. Further information can then be collected on certain species and estimated populations.
Preliminary Roost Assessment Methodology
On a suitable date, an ecological consultant will conduct a survey visit for an internal inspection of structures and an external inspection of rural areas on the specific plot of land. The initial survey will include an extensive evaluation of all evidence of bats, as well as any specific details that could indicate a suitability for bats occupying sites, either now or in the future.
An earlier desk study will have also been used as a way of uncovering any existing information about the site, such as known local populations or activity of UK bat species. Between the desk-based study and the physical inspection of the site, the bat surveyors should have enough information on any potential high-quality habitats present and whether the structure could act as a roosting site in the future.
It is common for the ecological surveyor to confirm if bat activity surveys will be needed immediately after the PRA has been completed. Alternatively, other bat surveys undertaken won’t be needed, and instead, the ecologist can suggest necessary mitigation measures to support planning applications, enable the development to continue, and rule out even the slightest chance of disrupting bats.
Preliminary Roost Assessment Report
After the survey has been carried out, the ecological surveyor will put together a preliminary bat roost assessment report to display all of the findings and next steps. It will explain the nature of the proposed development, evidence of individual bats, suitability to support roosting bats, any potential conflicts between the development work and present bats, and bat mitigation and compensation measures that will enable the development to continue if no further surveys are needed.
If, however, more bat surveys are needed on the site, the PRA report will express the requirement for a bat emergence survey. A bat scoping survey report can also highlight if a bat mitigation class licence is needed for carrying out any of the mitigation or compensation work. With a bat survey licence, a professional ecologist can safely move bats to other areas or new bat boxes. Once all of the necessary bat surveys are undertaken and the expert advice has been followed, the bat survey report should give the local planning authority every reason to grant planning consent.
Preliminary Roost Assessment Guidelines
Over the course of every scoping bat survey we provide, the best practice guidelines are followed, whether it’s from the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), Natural England / Natural Resources Wales or other statutory nature conservation organisations.
Our ecological consultancy uses the latest bat detectors, utilises extensive experience from years of work and maintains an understanding of the steady decline of bats as a way of providing bat surveys to land and property developers in the best way possible.
In the space below, we offer more information on how we support development plans, specifically covering the likely cost, timing and quotes for assessments.
Preliminary Roost Assessment Cost
Whenever we start working on a new development project, we create a quote for the client that outlines the price for a survey based on the details of the proposed works.
In terms of the bat scoping survey cost, the overall price should be fairly straightforward because it will only involve one visit to the site and a single ecologist, unless it turns out that bat activity surveys are needed.
We know that costs can easily escalate throughout the planning process, and due to that, we subsidise our fees as much as possible. The cost of our quote includes everything in one, meaning we don’t charge mileage and expenses on top, helped by having consultants and surveyors all over the country.
Get an accurate quote for a preliminary roost assessment on your site by reaching out to our team and giving us as much information about your project as you can.
Preliminary Roost Assessment Times
One of the positives of how preliminary roost assessments are carried out is that they can be undertaken at any time all year round. For a typical house, the inspection would take place during daylight hours and last up to two hours.
A bat emergence survey, on the other hand, can only be conducted across spring and summer months, with the best time of year happening between May and September.
Request a Quote Today
It is likely for bat scoping surveys or other protected species surveys to be needed after an earlier ecological survey, such as a preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) or ecological impact assessment (EcIA). Whether that happened, you wanted to plan a PRA as a precaution, or you were told to arrange a British standard baseline-level bat survey by the corresponding planning department, it will only help reassure your local authority that your development won’t harm any potentially present bats.
We’ve worked on barn conversions, developments, redevelopments and demolitions for clients all over the country, all to provide information on bats, obtain a European protected species licence for mitigation works, and secure planning permission. With our help, you can check that your plans don’t obstruct access to bats, and if you need help with getting a bat licence, we can support you with that too.
If you want a free quote from our team, take the first step by getting in touch today. You can call us, fill out a booking form on our contact page or email us. All of our details are at the top of this page. Once we’ve got your information, we will send you your quote form, and from there, you can choose if you’d like to move ahead with us or not. If you would, we can then arrange a date to come to your site and start the process of helping you with your development.