Bat Surveys & How to Deal with Bats on Site

Whatever kind of project you’re tackling – be it a conversion, refurb, extension or totally new
home built from scratch – if there is a possibility of bats in or near your property, then you have to take account of them as part of your planning application.

Bats are rightly protected by legislation and it’s vital that you deal with them in a sensitive and lawful way. So what do you need to know about these creatures, what are the implications for your project and what solutions are there for rehoming and dealing with bats?

Bats and the law

Bats are protected by both UK and European legislation, under the Habitats Regulations and the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It’s not just an offence to capture or kill them, but also to disturb bats in their roost or to damage, destroy or block access to a roost.

If there’s a possibility of these creatures being present at your property, then you’ll need to have a dedicated bat survey done before you make a planning application.

If they do have to be disturbed or relocated, then this must be done by a specialist with a bat licence. Breaches of the law can result in stiff fines or even imprisonment, so this isn’t a matter to be taken lightly.

Where do bats roost?

Any long-standing structure – whether it be a house, garage, barn, shed, farm building or workshop – has the potential to harbour bats, and not just in countryside areas. If you’re demolishing an older building or taking on substantial work, such as re-roofing or re-cladding, then the council is likely to want a survey.

But don’t be fooled: bats can frequent modern buildings, too. This means pretty much any kind of property you might want to alter or extend could trigger the need for a survey.

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