Bat Surveys for Planning.

Your local authority needs to consider bats (and other protected species) in every application they receive - that means you may need a bat survey as part of your planning application!

All Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are required to consider bats (and other protected species) in every application they receive.

They must assess if bats could possibly roost on a site, and if the answer is yes they will request a bat survey to find out.

In most cases, they won’t grant planning consent with the condition a bat survey is done in the future.

The survey must be done before consent can be granted.

The sooner you contact us, the better we can support your application. You don’t need to wait for a survey to be requested by your LPA to start the process!

Bat surveys usually take place in two stages:

Stage 1 - Preliminary Roost Assessment

This is a day-time physical inspection, looking for both evidence of roosting bats and structures that have the potential to contain roosts. It also considers the surrounding habitat and whether bats have been recorded in the area. 

The level of suitability for bat roosts is assessed, and this determines if a stage 2 survey is needed.

Stage 2 - Bat Activity Surveys

This is a night-time survey with a team of skilled surveyors using ultrasound bat detectors and infra-red video to identify bats leaving or entering roost features. Depending on the potential for bat roosts determined in the stage 1 survey, this may need to be repeated several times.

These can be a mix of sunset and sunrise surveys to allow a full picture of roosting activities on your property.

If you are considering work which requires planning consent, it’s always worth speaking to us informally at the beginning of your planning.

We can help you establish if a survey is likely to be required, and schedule your surveys during the short survey season to prevent any delays.

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Bat Survey FAQs: Part 1
Bat Survey FAQs: Part 1

No matter what kind of property you are developing or renovating, there are several questions we get time and time again. To help your proposed works go smoothly, here’s the answer to five of our most asked questions…

What will your bat survey find?
What will your bat survey find?

To help you prepare for your survey findings we’ve looked at our previous surveys at 133 sites, split into rural and urban/suburban locations. Let’s start by looking at the surveys you might need…

Contact our team of ecologists

If you have any questions about bats or other protected species, what to do about organising a survey, or need general information, we welcome your inquiry.

What Our Clients Say

  • Having worked with David Dodds Associates for a number of years, the service received is excellent and always provides expert ecological advice.

    • Lynne McNeely, Carneil Homes Ltd, Kinross

  • “Montgomery Forgan Associates has worked with David for many years on planning projects for mutual clients. David's work is first class, always delivered on time and is keenly priced. David has a wealth of knowledge on all ecological matters, with a highly valued specialism in bat surveys. Montgomery Forgan Associates would have no hesitation in recommending David to its clients.”

    • David Queripel, Montgomery Forgan Associates, Cupar

  • “We have found David Dodds very helpful in providing us with bat surveys and mitigation proposals.”

    • Niall Braidwood, Ogilvy Chalmers, Haddington

  • “Thank you for your help in doing the survey, and the speed of your response. Charlotte seemed very knowledgable. She was very helpful and happy to respond to our questions! Your report gave us all the answers we needed.”

    • Chris Gunstone, Tyninghame Village Hall Committee, East Lothian

  • “We have worked with David and his team in many projects and he is a real expert in the field. From enquiry, to survey, to receiving the report, they are always professional and provide a high quality service.”

    • Arancha Arnal, Blyth and Bluth Consulting Engineers, Edinburgh

  • “Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has used David Dodds Associates and their services for projects that required their extensive and specialist expertise. David has not only assisted in a prompt and professional manner he also provided a welcomed insight into the world of bat protection, articulating how best to approach situations to ensure SRUC deliver projects whilst the species, environment and landscape remain protected.”

    • Leeanne Price, S.R.U.C., Penicuik

  • “David has routinely provided timely, proactive and helpful advice to assist and enable building fabric projects to progress in a compliant manner and remains my first point of contact for any ecological requirements”.

    • Craig Mattocks, Cademuir Building Consultants, Peebles