Bat populations have declined drastically in recent years. Many of our bats are under threat and several are very rare. This decline is due to a range of factors including loss of roosting sites, foraging habitat and the fragmentation of commuting routes.
Each species of bat has its own preferred types of roost including buildings, churches, caves, mines, cellars, hollow or damaged trees and bridges. Bats feed on insects and will catch thousands every night while foraging in areas such as traditional pasture, gardens, woodland, marshes and ponds.
Bats breed slowly, producing only one offspring per year, or every other year with the females gathering in maternity colonies to give birth and rear their young. Consequently, changes to their breeding site, brought about by development, can significantly impact a local population for a long time.
Bats are creatures of habit and return to the same roost sites year after year and for this reason the sites are legally protected, even when bats are absent. All bats and their roosts are fully protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.
Planning Applications and Surveys
Consider bats EARLY on in the planning process to avoid delays.
- Seek advice from the Planning Ecologist and Natural Resources Wales if you think your application will impact on European Protected Species
- Commission a local licensed bat surveyor early – some surveys can only be done from May to September
- Remember to carefully read your survey report – it may identify further work required prior to the submission of your planning application
- Ensure your architect has incorporated all aspects of any mitigation on your final drawings prior to submission.
If there is evidence of a confirmed roost on or near the site to be developed, a Protected Species Survey for Bats will be required as part of your planning application. This should be included at the time of submission and cannot be conditioned.
The optimum survey period is between May and August, however, in limited circumstances scoping surveys can be undertaken outside this period. If you are in any doubt contact the Planning Ecologist for pre-application advice or contact a Licensed Bat Surveyor.
Click the link for details of local Licensed Bat Surveyors and Ecologists; note, inclusion on this list does not constitute a recommendation by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. For further guidance on survey reports see Ecological Survey Report Guidance.
Bats as a feature of a Special Area of Conservation
The Pembrokeshire Bat Sites and Bosherston Lakes Special Area of Conservation (SAC) management plan lists the greater horseshoe and lesser horseshoe bat as a qualifying features. The North Pembrokeshire Woodlands SAC management plan lists the barbastelle bat as a qualifying feature.
If a development site is close to or directly affects any of the SAC features, additional information may be required in the assessment of the proposal on the species. For further information see Protected Sites or consult the Planning Ecologist.
Licensing
If you are undertaking development or an activity that will affect a bat roost or any other European Protected Species then it is likely you will require a licence from Natural Resources Wales (NRW). If the development requires planning permission this must be granted prior to obtaining a licence. Once approved it is the applicant’s responsibility to apply for a licence and further information can be found by searching ‘European Protected Species Licence’ on the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) website.
Any queries relating to protected species and sites should be directed to our Planning Ecologist via 01646 624800 or dc@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk.
It is an offence to:
- Deliberately kill, injure, catch or keep bats
- Damage or destroy bat roosts
- Deliberately disturb bats, for example by entering known roosts.
