I was called to this site to support a planning application for demolition of the bungalow. The only features that I could find that bats could reasonably be expected to use were associated with a damaged chimney. The damage had only occurred a few months prior to the survey and I concluded that it is therefore very unlikely that bats will have discovered and roosted in the chimney. I advised that the chimney was repaired before the next spring when bats would be active and looking for new roosts.
The consultee (Derbyshire Wildlife Trust) accepted my approach:
I have reviewed the bat survey report prepared by The Bat Surveyor (Jan 2020) and confirm that
the survey effort is consistent with good practice methods. The report provides a clear description
of the structures surveyed and potential for use by roosting bats, which has been assessed as
negligible, and there are no outstanding recommendations for further surveys. Sufficient
information has now been provided.
The planning application was granted.
