You may be surprised to hear that there are actually 18 different species of bats residing in the United Kingdom at present. This is a fact which shocks many people because so few bats are ever spotted in the UK. This is because, although we have many species of bats in the country, they are an endangered and declining species, so their numbers are small.
This is why bats have been afforded protected status by the government and why we should all do everything that we can to ensure that bats are kept safe and allowed to thrive, so that they can be enjoyed for many more generations. This is why anyone who is considering making structural changes to a building in which bats may be present should have a bat survey carried out to ensure that no bats are harmed by their actions.
Bats and the Law
It is illegal, in the UK. To injure, kill, or handle bats. It is also illegal to carry out any actions which will lead to the disturbance or destruction of their habitats – there is an exception to this if a license is sought but that is rare. This means that if you were to carry out any of these actions without a licence, willingly or not, you could be prosecuted. That is why it is so important to carry out a bat survey before you even think about making structural changes.
Efficient
Not only can a bat survey protect the bat population and ensure that you do not end up on the wrong side of the law, but it can also be something which improves the efficiency of your development. By having a bat survey conducted early on you can potentially save a lot of time and money on the process.
By carrying out a bat survey before you apply for planning permission, you can make it more likely your application will go through quickly, first time because you will be able to show planners that you have done the relevant work in regards to the environment and ecology of your site.
Knowing the bat situation before your development starts could also mean that you avoid having to down tools because bats are found in the area.
Bat-survey.co provides an excellent Bat Surveyto help you avoid breaking the law.
