Bats and Barns
If you are planning to convert a barn or farm building to residential or office use, careful consideration should be given to ecological issues that may arise before committing resources, in particular as a result of the presence of bats.
The 16 species of bats present in England and their roosts are protected by law, meaning it is illegal to damage or disturb a roost or injure or kill a bat.
Bats generally adopt separate summer and winter roosts but tend to return to the same roosts each winter and it is likely that old farm buildings will host at least one species of bat, although bats will also inhabit new buildings.
Having drawn up your development proposal, it is recommended that you consult an advisor who will search existing records to assess the likelihood of the presence of bats and any other protected species. If bat presence is likely or confirmed an Ecological Consultant should be contacted prior to submitting a planning application.
A subsequent bat survey will assess the impact of your chosen scheme and flag up the requirement for disturbance licences, alternative plans and mitigation procedures, ensuring any issues are dealt with at the pre-planning stage, providing the most cost effective and favourable outcome for your development.
- Ashby de la Zouch
- 01530 412821
- Banbury
- 01295 271 555
- Knutsford
- 01565 757970
- Market Harborough
- 01858 410 200
- Newark
- 01949 851815
- Southampton
- 02380 883150
- Stafford
- 01785 220 044
- Worcester
- 01905 453275
