The Bat Conservation Trust published their updated ‘Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists – Good Practice Guidelines’ this month.  The new guidelines, which have been adopted by Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage as best practice, represent an overhaul of existing guidance and recognise the fast-paced nature of emerging bat survey technology.

These new guidelines will mean greater survey effort to inform planning applications. Bat surveys are often a necessary part of the planning process and allow developers to fully understand the extent of bat activity, ensuring they have enough time and resource to mitigate effects in-line with the extensive legislation that protects the species.

Importantly, for developers and contractors, the new guidelines present a more robust approach to survey effort, particularly in relation to trees, where a greater emphasis has been placed on climbing inspection surveys.  Potentially that means more time and resource dedicated to surveys ahead of planning applications being consented. Every developer and contractor knows that, if not identified early, bat roosts can cause serious and expensive delays to development.

At LUC, that’s the last thing we want. Of course, our Ecologists know that bats are really not your priority, so get in touch and we’ll make sure your project is compliant with the new guidelines, freeing you to focus on your development.