There are 18 species of bat in the British Isles, all of which are European Protected Species (EPS), giving legal protection to bats, their breeding sites and resting places.
At least 15 of these species occur in Cornwall/Devon, which is a particular stronghold for some rare bats, including the Barbastelle, Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats. In the UK bat numbers have declined significantly over the last 100 years as a result of habitat loss, agricultural intensification and development of buildings in which they roost. They are a very important part of the ecosystem, however, and a good indicator of habitat quality and healthy insect populations. Any development work which might impact upon bat roosts, or their feeding and commuting areas, will require surveys in order to assess impacts and inform mitigation strategies. Certain activities may require a Natural England license before work can take place.
Mark is able to offer a comprehensive range of bat surveys, whether this is a Bat and Barn Owl survey to inform a planning application, an application for a Natural England mitigation licence, or studies to establish what species are present within your landholding and inform management. As a Registered Consultant (RC) of Natural England’s Bat Low Impact Class Licence scheme (BLICL) it may be possible in some specific circumstances to offer a speedier and more cost-effective route through the licensing process for developers.