Bat surveys: Costs, the law and whether you need one for your project

bat hanging in roof
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Bat surveys are often a requirement for self-builders, renovators and those converting old agricultural or industrial buildings. They, along with some other house surveys, may well be needed as part of your planning application. 

Bats can be found in buildings or trees on site, or foraging over grassland or water, so even as a self-builder with a fairly clear plot as a starting point, it is worth considering potential for bats on site or in the immediate vicinity. 

Darren Bray
Darren Bray

Darren Bray is founder and director of Studio B.A.D Architects, and lectures at Reading School of Architecture.

Deborah Slade
Deborah Slade

Deborah is a planning consultant and has 20 years’ experience in public and private sector planning.

Darren Bray is Technical Director of award winning New Forest practice Pad Studio. He has been a part time studio tutor at Portsmouth School of Architecture since 2007.