Bat Surveys in Manchester

Licensed bat surveys across Manchester and Greater Manchester

If you’re planning roof works, a loft conversion, an extension, demolition or tree removal anywhere in Manchester, the council may ask for a bat survey before it can decide your planning application. All UK bats and their roosts are protected by law, so it’s important to find out early whether bats could be affected.

We’re a Manchester-based ecology consultancy, so we can usually get to sites across Greater Manchester quickly, and come back for evening and dawn surveys without adding travel costs to your quote.

Why bat surveys are common in Manchester

A lot of Manchester’s buildings are good places for bats to roost. Victorian and Edwardian terraces, older semis, churches, chapels, mills, warehouses and bridges often have gaps under roof tiles, behind fascias and soffits, and in old brickwork. Mature trees in parks, gardens and along the river valleys can have cracks, holes and loose bark that bats use too.

The rivers, canals and green spaces that run through the city give bats places to feed. Common and soprano pipistrelles are the bats we come across most often in Greater Manchester, and we also record species such as Daubenton’s bats over the canals and rivers, noctules, and brown long-eared bats.

How our bat surveys work

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)

We start by inspecting any buildings or trees that could be affected by the works, inside and out, looking for bats, signs of bats and features they could roost in. A PRA can be done at any time of year, and for many householder projects it’s the only survey you’ll need.

Emergence and re-entry surveys

If the PRA finds a roost or potential for one, we’ll carry out surveys at dusk and dawn to see whether bats are using the building or tree. These can only be done between May and September, so if you’re hoping to start work next year, it’s worth getting the PRA done early.

Aerial tree inspections

Where trees have potential roost features, our ecologists can climb and inspect them closely. This often gives a clearer answer and can reduce the need for night-time surveys. More about aerial tree inspections.

Mitigation and bat licences

Finding bats rarely stops a project. We’ll recommend practical mitigation, such as timing works carefully or providing new roost spaces, and where needed we’ll apply to Natural England for a bat licence so the works can go ahead lawfully. More about mitigation.

Where we work

We carry out bat surveys across Manchester and the rest of Greater Manchester, including Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton and Wigan, as well as the wider North West. We also work across most of the UK.

Who we work with

Homeowners, architects, planning consultants, developers, builders, schools and councils. Our reports are written to meet the requirements of local planning authorities, with clear advice on what the findings mean for your project.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a bat survey for a loft conversion or roof works in Manchester?

Often, yes. Roof spaces and the gaps around roof tiles, soffits and barge boards are common places for bats to roost, especially in older houses. If you’re applying for planning permission, the council may ask for a bat survey before it validates your application. A Preliminary Roost Assessment will tell you whether further surveys are needed.

How quickly can you do a bat survey in Manchester?

As we’re based in Manchester, we can often carry out a Preliminary Roost Assessment at short notice. Emergence and re-entry surveys can only be done between May and September, so book early if you think you’ll need them.

What happens if bats are found?

It doesn’t usually stop a development. We’ll recommend mitigation and, where needed, apply for a bat licence from Natural England so the works can go ahead lawfully.