Many Councils are now adding  a bat survey into Planning Permission Requirements.  If it is not required however – this does not mean that bats will not be present. Incorporating an initial assessment could prove to save  a lot of time and money if bats are later found to be using the site.

If bats are found to be present and the planned action would in any way risk the animals or  cause damage or destruction to the roost then any work already commenced must stop immediately to prevent any further issues and a licensed bat worker contacted.

For work to continue, a license must be obtained, in England these are issued by Natural England.

The granting of the license, would require the bats to be maintained within their natural range and monitored after the developments completion.