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All you need to know for planning your development
Why do I need a survey?
Bats, barn owls, swallows, swifts and house martins are all possible residents in buildings. They are all protected by law. You are therefore at risk of committing an offence if you carry out any development work on possible roosts/nesting sites without first having a wildlife survey.
Who can do it?
Bat surveys should be done by a licensed bat ecologist, Acorn Ecology has licenced bat workers. Planning authorities hold lists of licensed workers, or look in the Yellow Pages under environmental consultants. Bird surveys do not require a licence but you should employ an ecologist.
What does it involve?
A thorough search must be carried out of all the spaces in the building including an internal loft search. A report will be prepared that outlines the findings and any mitigation required. This can be submitted to the planning authority to ensure any work carried out is within the law.
What are we looking for?
Signs of nesting or roosting animals include droppings, signs of feeding, entrance holes, potential roosting spaces, bird nests and of course the animals themselves.
What happens next?
Bats
If bats are present then your bat ecologist will advise you on what has to be done. A Natural England licence is required, if bats are present, to carry out any works on a bat roost. There are usually several options on what to do if you have bats, but it must be stressed that they are heavily protected under National and European law, so failure to carry out mitigation could have serious consequences. Your bat consultant can prepare the mitigation plan and the licence application.
Barn owls and other nesting birds
If you have any nesting birds your ecologist will provide you with information on the required mitigation. All birds are protected during nesting so work cannot be carried out on site during this time, but techniques can be employed during the winter to ensure they don't nest in the development area and your ecologist will advise. Swallows, swifts, house martins, wood pigeons, jackdaws, barn owls, little owls, starlings and sparrows are the most likely birds to be found in or on buildings.
What is a European Protected Species Licence?
Because bats are European protected species you need a licence from Natural England (or SNH/CCW) to carry out an “illegal operation”, for example disturbing bats in their roost. The European Protected Species Licence is prepared for you by your bat ecologist, and this involves preparing a detailed mitigation plan. The licence process can take up to two months as Natural England consults with the planning authority before granting the licence. The mitigation plan must be adhered to to comply with the law. Your bat ecologist will help you and discuss your options.
For an information sheet about EPSL's please e-mail us on info@acornecology.co.uk
Bats and the law
There are 16 species of bats in Britain and all of them are protected by law. It is illegal to recklessly or intentionally:
• Disturb, capture, injure or kill bats
• Obstruct access to bat roosts
• Destroy or damage bat roosts
Barn owls and the law
Barn owls have sadly declined dramatically over the past 50 years due to new agricultural practices causing loss of feeding and nesting sites. Barn owls are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which means it is an offence to intentionally disturb them while they are on or near a nest containing young or eggs; or to intentionally disturb dependant young.
Providing accommodation in the form of barn owl boxes is a good way to ensure the future survival and success of a breeding pair.
Nesting birds and the law
Swallows, house martins and swifts are also often found in buildings and are also protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 making it an offence to:
• Intentionally take, injure or kill any wild bird
• Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is being built or in use
• Destroy or take an egg from a wild bird
Timing work to avoid the breeding season or excluding birds from nesting sites before the breeding season can limit disturbance; your ecologist can advise you on this.
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