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Based in London · Covers UK-wide Accreditation stated by provider: CIEEMOwn websiteUK-wide
01 · Planning stage · Ecology
Bat survey
Bats and their roosts are protected by law, so if your project could affect a building or trees bats might use, your council will usually ask for a bat survey before granting planning permission, or attach it as a condition.
DWGuide by Dan Wallis · Updated 4 October 2026
This guide covers the rules in England. See Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Who needs oneAnyone converting a loft, barn or older building, re-covering a roof, or removing trees or hedgerows near a possible roost
Who can do itAn ecologist with the relevant bat survey licence
WhenBefore you submit; emergence surveys usually only run May–September
16 ecologists listed across the UK
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Find ecologists by region
National providers (9)
Arbtech Consulting Ltd
Based in Chester · Covers UK-wide (England and Wales) Accreditation stated by provider: Not statedOwn websiteUK-wide
Bowland Ecology Ltd
Based in Clitheroe, Lancashire · Covers North West England, Scotland (Glasgow office) and UK-wide Accreditation stated by provider: CIEEM Registered Practice, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, CHASOwn websiteUK-wide
Brooks Ecological Ltd
Based in Guiseley, Leeds · Covers Yorkshire and the Humber, North West England, nationwide Accreditation stated by provider: CIEEM Registered Practice (2025-2026), follows BS 42020Own websiteUK-wide
Contract Ecology Ltd
Based in Preston · Covers North West and UK Accreditation stated by provider: Not statedOwn websiteUK-wide
Ecology by Design
Based in Chalgrove · Covers UK-wide Accreditation stated by provider: Not statedOwn websiteUK-wide
Elton Ecology
Based in Derby · Covers Nationwide Accreditation stated by provider: CIEEMOwn websiteUK-wide
Skilled Ecology Consultancy
Based in Not stated · Covers UK-wide Accreditation stated by provider: Not statedOwn websiteUK-wide
Thomson Environmental Consultants
Based in Guildford · Covers UK-wide Accreditation stated by provider: CIEEMOwn websiteUK-wide
Regional providers (check they cover your area) (5)
Acer Ecology
Based in Cardiff · Covers South Wales and West of England Accreditation stated by provider: CIEEMOwn website
Blackstaff Ecology Ltd
Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland · Covers Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland Accreditation stated by provider: CIEEM members, director is CEnv MCIEEMOwn website
Midland Ecology
Based in Birmingham · Covers Midlands Accreditation stated by provider: CIEEMOwn website
PJC Consultancy Ltd
Based in Ashford, Kent · Covers South East England (Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey) Accreditation stated by provider: Arboricultural Association, Chartered Institute of Chartered Foresters, CIEEM Registered PracticeOwn website
Quantock Ecology Ltd
Based in Taunton, Somerset · Covers South of England and Wales Accreditation stated by provider: CIEEM, Royal Society of BiologyOwn website
When a survey is likely to be asked for
- Converting a loft, barn or outbuilding with gaps in the roof or soffits
- Demolishing or substantially altering a building built before the 1990s
- Removing mature trees or hedgerows that could support a roost
- A site near woodland, water or other bat habitat flagged on the council’s ecology checklist
How the survey process works
Most projects start with a preliminary roost assessment: a daytime inspection for droppings, staining and gaps a bat could use. If that finds potential roost features, further emergence or re-entry surveys are needed, usually between May and September, which can add several months to your timeline.
Build the survey season into your programme early. A loft conversion submitted in winter can stall until the following summer if a roost is suspected and the right season has passed.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
This guide describes the rules in England. Building regulations are devolved, so here is how bat survey works in the rest of the UK.
Wales
The same core legal protections apply, enforced by Natural Resources Wales. Councils in Wales use similar ecology checklists to flag sites needing a survey.
Scotland
Bats are protected under the same UK-wide legislation, enforced by NatureScot. Surveys follow the same seasonal pattern as the rest of the UK.
Northern Ireland
Bats are protected under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order, enforced by NIEA. The survey approach and seasonal timing are the same.
Common questions
Do I need a bat survey for every loft conversion?
No, only where the roof has gaps or features a bat could use, or the council’s validation checklist flags the site. Many straightforward conversions on newer roofs don’t need one.
What if bats are found?
The ecologist designs a mitigation scheme, which may need a licence from Natural England before work starts. Work usually can’t begin until that’s in place.
How long does it take?
A preliminary assessment can be quick, but if emergence surveys are needed they only run in the May–September season, so a winter application can face a long wait.
Who can do the survey?
An ecologist holding the appropriate bat survey licence. Preliminary assessments don’t always need a licence, but any handling or further survey work does.
New to the jargon? See our glossary of terms, from air permeability to TrustMark.