Elton Ecology were commissioned to carry out ecology work to inform a planning application for roof height alterations including dormer windows within the Derby City Council planning authority area.

The Issue

With reference to the British Standard BS:42020 – Biodiversity Code of Practice for Planning and Development, the Derby City Council ecology consultee requested that bat surveys be undertaken to assess any bat activity at the site prior to determining the application.

The building was assessed as offering moderate bat roosting suitability by a third-party ecologist during a Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment (PBRA), prior to our involvement.

Our Solution

With reference to best practice survey guidelines (Collins, 2016), Elton Ecology carried out two nocturnal emergence/ re-entry surveys aided by full spectrum bat echolocation detectors and HD infrared video cameras, supplemented by external infrared lighting. The surveys comprised one dusk emergence survey and one dawn re-entry survey during which no emerging/re-entering bats were recorded. Therefore, the likely absence of roosting bats at the site was demonstrated and a subsequent Bat Report issued requiring no further surveys.

The Derby City Council ecology consultee confirmed that the surveys were undertaken in accordance with best practice guidance, and sufficient information had been supplied to inform the planning decision. Planning permission for the site was approved.