What Does a Bat Licence Do?
When you need a bat survey for planned works, you may hear terms such as personal licence, BLIMP or derogation licence. These terms can sound technical, but they are simply tools that allow ecologists to work legally and safely when dealing with protected species.
Here is what they mean, why they matter, and how they help keep your project moving.
Your ecologist Must hold a bat licence
All bats and their roosts are legally protected. This means certain activities can only be carried out by an ecologist who holds an appropriate licence.
A bat licence demonstrates that the ecologist has been trained, assessed and approved by the relevant authority — in Scotland, that authority is NatureScot; in England, Natural England.
A licensed ecologist is permitted to:
Inspect potential roost features
Handle bats if absolutely necessary
Access sensitive areas that require specialist knowledge
Collect evidence in situations where unlicensed individuals cannot
This ensures that surveys are carried out safely, professionally and within the law.
Personal licences (NatureScot / Natural England)
A personal bat licence is issued to an ecologist as an individual. It confirms that they have proven competence, understand the legal protections, and can carry out certain actions that would otherwise be unlawful.
Personal licences cover tasks such as:
Inspecting buildings for roosts
Handling bats during surveys (when required)
Supervising works while taking appropriate ecological precautions
When you hire an ecological consultant, one of the first things you should check is that the survey is being carried out by (or directly overseen by) a licensed ecologist.
What is BLIMP?
BLIMP stands for Bat Low Impact Licensing. It is a streamlined licensing process used for situations where bats or their roosts are present, but the level of impact is considered low and can be fully mitigated.
It is used when:
Only small numbers of bats of our most common species are involved
The type of roost affected carries lower conservation risk
The mitigation required is straightforward and well understood
For homeowners and small projects, BLIMP offers a quicker, simpler route than a full derogation licence, provided the impact is genuinely low and the roost meets the criteria.
What is a derogation licence?
A derogation licence (sometimes called a full licence) is required when works will unavoidably damage or disturb a bat roost in a way that cannot be avoided through standard methods.
This licence allows the necessary work to proceed legally, but only after:
Surveys have been completed at the correct times
The ecologist has demonstrated why the work is necessary
Appropriate mitigation and compensation have been designed
The licensing authority agrees the approach is justified
Derogation licences take time to prepare and process, which is why early surveys are so important.
Why all of this matters to you
Licences are not barriers — they are safeguards. They ensure your project can move ahead legally while protecting bats and meeting all regulatory requirements.
Your ecologist’s job is to guide you through the process, explain which licences apply and why, and make the steps as straightforward as possible. If you are planning works and think you may need a bat survey, we are here to ensure everything runs smoothly from the first inspection through to any licensing that may be required.
If you need a bat survey (or think you might) get in touch with our team of specialist ecologists!
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