Local Requirements - Bat Roost Potential Assessment Form and Bat Survey (Householder)

Types of application or development that require this information

A bat survey is required for:

• Householder applications where there is a 'reasonable likelihood' of bats being present within or adjacent to the application site. 

'Reasonable likelihood' is identified through the completion of a Bat Roost Potential Assessment Form.

A Bat Roost Potential Assessment Form should be submitted for all householder proposals for:

• Demolition, alterations and or extensions to large Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian style dwellings and outbuildings
• Demolition, alterations and or extensions to brick or stone farm houses, agricultural barns, barn conversions or similar buildings
• Demolition, alterations and or extensions to all properties within the Bradford Bat Alert layer

What information is required?

Bats are a material consideration when deciding whether to grant planning permission. They are also afforded legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

The Bradford Bat Alert Layer on the Bradford Biodiversity Assets Map identifies known bat roosts and also other locations within 200 metres of significant woodland or water features where there is a reasonable likelihood of bats being present. Bats are also likely to be present in large Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian style dwellings and stone or brick farm houses, barn conversions and outbuildings in any part of the District. If the application site is located within a Bat Alert Zone and/or comprises of comprises of one of these types of property, a Bat Roost Potential Assessment Form must be submitted with the application.

If the Bat Roost Potential Assessment Form determines that a Bat Survey is required, it must be submitted before the application can be validated. An initial Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment (PBRA) carried out in accordance with Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edition), (BCT 2016 is required as a minimum. Guidelines will often require subsequent dusk emergence and dawn re-entry surveys to be undertaken between May and September. Surveys should meet the Minimum Standard for bat Surveys in West Yorkshire and be undertaken by an appropriately experienced bat worker holding an appropriate Natural England licence for bat survey. Guidance for PBRA surveys in relation to householder applications outside the main survey period is provided by West Yorkshire Ecology at the following link: Flow diagram for bat surveys of household or small developments between October and April (PDF).

Where it can be established that there is negligible bat roost suitability or that impacts can be avoided, it may be possible to validate the application. If this is the case the application should include a statement from a Suitably Experienced Ecologist to this effect.

The presence of bats within or adjacent to the development site is unlikely to stop the development going ahead provided that appropriate mitigation measures are in place.

When addressing the need to reduce impacts on bats the mitigation hierarchy should be followed. Avoidance of impacts should be considered first, followed by mitigation to reduce impacts. Finally, compensation measures to provide alternative roost locations and/or habitat should be considered.

If a bat roost is likely to be directly or indirectly affected, a developer has a legal duty to carry out agreed measures to ensure that there are no adverse effects on the conservation status of the bat population. This would require a Natural England mitigation licence which must include a detailed mitigation strategy (including avoidance and compensation measures should they be applicable) in addition to a valid planning permission. Granted planning permission is a requirement for a Natural England mitigation licence and as such it is the duty of the LPA to assess bat survey and proposed mitigation prior to granting permission.

Further information

• West Yorkshire Ecology: Minimum Standards for Bat Surveys in West Yorkshire (PDF)

Policy driver

• National Planning Policy Framework - Chapter 15: Conserving and enhancing the natural environment
• Core Strategy - Policy EN2: Biodiversity and Geodiversity
• Bats: surveys and mitigation for development projects: standing advice (Natural England and DEFRA)
• Circular 05/2006: Biodiversity and geological conservation