Need a bat survey in Herefordshire?

If you are planning a development project in Herefordshire, the relevant local planning authority may require a bat survey alongside an application for planning permission.

If bats are found on your proposed site, the scheme may well be able to proceed providing that a strict protocol involving mitigation and compensation measures is adhered to. Engaging an ecological consultancy that can undertake bat surveys in Herefordshire will help you negotiate the planning process.

Protected species

Bats are highly safeguarded as a European protected species, and disturbing bats without permission is a criminal offence. Legislation in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects bats, and all 17 European species of bat breeding in the UK are protected under Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, making it illegal to harm or disturb roosting bats or destroy bat roosts.

Bat habitat in Herefordshire

The range of natural and semi-natural habitats provides opportunities for many species of bats: 14 of the 18 species of bats found in the UK are present in the county. Bat roosts, feeding and resting places can be found in trees, loft conversions, farm buildings, under weatherboarding, or behind loose hanging tiles, while woods and parks provide foraging areas.

The Wye Valley Woodlands Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites SAC in south Herefordshire are home to populations of greater and lesser horseshoe bats, which are attracted to woodland. Lesser horseshoe bats are typically found in broad-leaved woodland and hedgerows, while greater horseshoe bats forage in semi-natural woodlands, open parkland, orchards, and grassland habitats, and are found in the Symonds Yat area.

Both species will hibernate in underground sites such as the Wye Valley’s limestone caves and mines which provide ideal hibernation sites.

Herefordshire bat support groups

Hereford Bat Rescue monitors bats in the county, while the Bat Conservation Trust supports bat groups across the UK. 17 bat species are known to breed in the UK and 16 have been recorded by Herefordshire Bat Rescue. Herefordshire Biological Records Centre holds `in-flight’ bat records, and common bat species in the county include the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat, Daubenton’s bat, and the whiskered bat.

Development in Herefordshire

The Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy 2011-2031 aims to balance the demand for new housing and infrastructure with protecting the area’s distinctive character. Its priorities are to:

• Promote sustainable development: focus development in urban areas, market towns, and larger villages, with some housing directed to rural areas to sustain local services.
• Address climate change through measures to minimise flood risk and pollution.
• Protect green infrastructure, biodiversity, landscape quality and green wildlife corridors.
• Encourage networks of connected green spaces between towns, villages and the countryside.
• Scrutinise any development proposals in Herefordshire’s two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the Wye Valley and the Malvern Hills – to ensure they are protected.
• Protect the Rivers Wye and part of the Lugg which are European Protected Special Areas of Conservation.

Bat surveys

If bats have been sighted on a development site, or they are discovered during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal/Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey, a bat survey will need to be carried out by a licensed ecological consultancy. As well as bat surveys, further surveys may be required such as protected species surveys or surveys for great crested newts.

Preliminary Roost Assessment (phase 1 bat survey or scoping bat survey.)

The first stage in the bat survey process involves a desk study followed by a site visit. A bat surveyor will inspect buildings and trees, searching for potential roosting features and signs of bats such as a bat roost, bat carcasses, bat droppings, and food remains.

The Preliminary Roost Assessment report will contain the bat survey findings and detail the next steps. If evidence of bats is found, further bat surveys may be needed: no evidence of bats means that development plans should be able to proceed through the planning process.

Dusk emergence and dawn re entry surveys (bat activity surveys and nocturnal bat surveys)

Second stage bat surveys involve several site visits by ecological consultants to monitor potential entry and exit points for bats on buildings. Consultants carrying out these dawn re entry surveys and dusk emergence surveys will use specialist equipment including bat detectors which enable them to identify bat species from echolocation calls; they can also calculate bat population numbers and flight paths.

If bats are found, the report will contain mitigation measures that will enable you to manage the bats correctly in a planning application: suitable mitigation design measures might include installing bat boxes or relocating bats. If bats are not found, a planning application should be able to continue through the local planning authority planning process.

While a preliminary roost assessment can be carried out year-round, dusk emergence and dawn re entry surveys may only be conducted between May and September.

A European Protected Species Licence

On sites where it is necessary to move bats or destroy a bat roost, a European Protected Species Licence may be needed. These are issued by the statutory nature conservation organisations Natural England and Natural Resources Wales.

Need a bat survey in Herefordshire?

Identifying an ecological consultancy that can undertake bat surveys and other ecology surveys for the relevant local planning authority is important. It must employ fully licensed ecological consultants who can guide you through the bat survey process, offering expert advice on mitigation design to help you obtain consent for your planning application.

As well as providing bat surveys and other ecological services, consultants can advise on applications to Natural England and any further surveys needed to help you through the planning process.