As several species of UK bats are endangered, it’s important for property developers and homeowners looking to sell to have a bat survey before buying, selling or making any structural changes to a property.
Bat surveys check to see if there are any bats in a property or how any bats known to be living in or around the property might be affected by any changes.
If you’re about to sell, buy or renovate a property, there are a several reasons why you should have a bat survey done before you make any moves.
The property is in an area inhabited by endangered bats
If you’re in an area of the UK where endangered bats live, then the local council may well ask you to have a bat survey carried out. If you know that colonies of bats have lived in the property in the past, then you’ll probably have a council order for a survey.
You want to increase your chances of getting planning permission
If you’re making major changes to the property, then finding out if bats live there all year round or seasonally can improve your chances of getting planning permission. If your work is to be carried out in between the bats roosting, or you can amend your plans so you don’t disturb the colony.
Having a bat survey demonstrates that you’re sensitive to local wildlife and are taking care not to disrupt endangered animals, which can help your application.
You can speed up the entire process
A big construction project is a complex undertaking, with lots of “moving parts” and a detailed timetable for phases to start and finish. If you get partway along the process and then suddenly find you have bats, it’ll be tools down until you’ve had a survey at the very least.
If it turns out your works will disturb an endangered species then you’ll probably have to change the plans, leading to delays, frustration and, worst of all, extra expense. Knowing about the bats from the start and making sure you work around them could make all the difference.
You want to earn some green points
This could be because you want the great PR that comes with being eco-friendly and aware of biodiversity. If you’re a developer then this can help you to gain acceptance in the neighbourhoods you’re building or renovating in.
You want to avoid fines or penalties
If you kill or injure any bats you can be fined – for each bat! Even if you hurt or kill the bat by accident, maybe by leaving a poisonous substance around or by blocking off an entrance to the roost, you’re still liable to a fine. Cutting down any trees or clumps of plants where bats live can also result in penalties, so it’s easy to see how important it is to get that bat survey done before picking up any tools.
If you have found bats in a building or structure that you plan to demolish, don’t despair. There are many bat experts in the UK who can set up new roosting boxes and peacefully relocate the animals into them for you!
