Bat Surveys

Background

Bats are among the most legally protected and ecologically valuable species in the UK. They control insect populations, indicate a healthy environment, and have lived alongside our buildings for centuries - which is exactly why undetected roosts so often surface during loft, roof and renovation works.

Crown & Burrow is a Natural England-licensed ecology firm based in Guildford, Surrey. Alongside our core badger work, we provide bat survey expertise to property owners, developers and contractors who need to understand whether bats are present before work begins. We are particularly experienced where bat activity overlaps with contaminated loft insulation removal, balancing wildlife protection with the practical need to make a property safe.

Our approach always puts compliance and conservation first. We assess, we advise, and we make sure your project never falls foul of the law that safeguards these animals.

Our approach

Every site is different, so we begin with a careful inspection rather than assumptions. Our initial bat assessment looks for the tell-tale signs of roosting and activity, including:

• Droppings beneath the roofline, on sills or inside lofts
• Urine staining and grease marks around access points
• Gaps at soffits, gable ends, ridge tiles and behind fascia
• Evidence of historic or current roosting in roof voids and outbuildings

From this assessment we give you a clear, honest picture of what is happening on your property. Where signs point to a roost or to activity that needs specialist input, we will be straight with you about the next steps, including where a licensed bat ecology survey or a European Protected Species licence is required before works can lawfully proceed.

Once a site is assessed and cleared, and where our remit covers it, we carry out related works - such as contaminated insulation removal - using best practice that protects both the building’s occupants and any wildlife nearby.

The Problem

Bats are easy to overlook and expensive to get wrong. The most common pitfalls we see are:

• Legal exposure. All UK bat species and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations. Disturbing, blocking or destroying a roost - even an empty one - is a criminal offence.
• Project delays. Bats discovered mid-build can halt a project for weeks while the correct licences and mitigation are put in place, often at a far higher cost than an early survey.
• Harm to a protected species. Undetected roosts can be destroyed inadvertently, and lost roosting features mean fewer places for bats to live, breed and shelter.
• Competing priorities. Property owners are frequently caught between meeting ecological obligations and keeping their project on schedule and on budget.

Without the right survey at the right time, what should be a routine job can become a legal and financial headache.

Our Solutions

We help you stay on the right side of the law while keeping your project moving. Our bat survey support is designed to remove uncertainty and protect both you and the species.

• Roost and activity assessment to confirm whether bats are present and what that means for your works
• Compliance guidance so you understand your obligations and the survey or licensing route that applies
• Mitigation advice and features including bat boxes, bat-friendly membranes and alternative roosting provision that maintain habitat and support sustainable development
• Practical, wildlife-first delivery of related works once a site is assessed and cleared

By identifying activity early, ensuring legal compliance and preserving the ecological balance of your site, we make it possible to deliver your project responsibly - protecting bats and your timeline at the same time.

If you suspect bats on your property, or your planning authority has asked for a survey, talk to us before work starts. Call 01483 387478 or email badgers@crownandburrow.co.uk to book an assessment with our licensed ecology team in Surrey.