Local requirements - bat survey

Types of application or development that require this information

• Planning applications where there is a reasonable likelihood of bats being found within or adjacent to the application site.

If a survey is required, the survey report must be submitted with the application prior to validation. Bat surveys cannot be conditioned.

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 where there is a reasonable likelihood of bats being present. 

If the application site lies within the Bradford Bat Alert layer or any other location where there is a likelihood of bats being present, you will need to refer to the West Yorkshire Bat Alert Layer Guidance (PDF) to determine whether a bat survey is required. 

If the guidance determines that a Bat Survey is required, it should be undertaken by a suitably Experienced Ecologist holding an appropriate Natural England Licence in line with the Minimum Standards for Bat Surveys in West Yorkshire (PDF) published by West Yorkshire Ecology.

Applications relating to sites identified as having a likelihood of bat roosts being present should be accompanied by a Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment.

Where it can be established that there is negligible bat roost potential 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 optimal period for bat activity surveys is May to August and surveys should ideally be carried out in this period. Surveys in September to mid-October may be acceptable but these are sub-optimal and may not be suitable to make a robust assessment of site value and potential impacts.

Guidance on winter surveys for bats can be found at the following link: Flow diagram for bat surveys of household or small developments between October and April (PDF).

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 to 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

• Biodiversity Assets Map  

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
• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981