Planning permission and Bat Surveys

Cameron

Thought I'd part with my experiance...

Recently applied for planning permission for our house!

Only to be told I needed a "bat survey" - cost £300 :shocked: nice work if you can get it!

Especially considering, I had only last year, replace the roof, fitted UPVC tight fitting facias, cavity wall fill .... I dont have bats. :mad:

So I asked the council why? they sent me a survey form, identifying why I needed a survey - I had to point out to the LPA that 99.9% of dwellings would need a Bat Survey - they agreed :shocked: but I still needed a bat survey! (My suspician is that the tick sheet has been created by the people who do the surveys, I have seen a lot of LPA's using it!) :T

Not to be beaten I did my research....

See this Bat Surveys Good Practice Guidelines

Then point this out to your head of planning..

`Referring within this document to Chapter 2 " Assessing the need.." Here 2.2 states "Every survey has a cost.....it is important from outset to establish...that it is reasonable to request a survey." and Box 2.1 "Planning and development trigger list for Bat Surveys"
This is significantly different to the Councils checklist which appears to be more onerous.
Following these guide lines, it would appear that I do not need a survey and hence it would be not reasonable for the LPA to request one.
I would argue that the councils procedure is unreasonable and hence forcing undue costs on applicants! `


For the record we had a victory! :beer: The council backed down - most probably panicking that they may have to re-reimburse the ones prior!

If you happen to read this and find this useful and want to thank me! Then buy a bat box and stick it in your garden! Bats are protect and I for one want to help protect them!

lostinrates

Pity those of us who DO have bats and also need extensive house repair!


Fwiw, we had a bat survey from the wildlife trust and despite an agreed price and us providing much of the work (for which they agreed I was qualified) reducing their level of input they ten tried to charge MORE than the agreed amount. We challenged this and gave them a reduced amount by cheque and they banked cheque and never responded. I am a keen wildlife supported and a member of the wildlife trust, and love our bats, but
It was only when I reminded the guy from the wildlife trust that if the house falls down its not just us that are home less, its the bats too, that any sense was seen.

We're providing bat houses too (ours want houses not boxes, fussy blighters ) and we love, love, love having them here, they are great insect control and just delightful in the evening, quite aside from any love for wildlife itself.

Cameron

I do believe!, but dont know!, and it sounds like your already going down this route...

Even if you have bats it wont stop you building!, you address the issue by building a "bat house" to rehouse them!

It would be cheaper all round and better for all if bat surveys where outlawed and everyone was made to build a "bat house" along with any building work

This has reminded me of the "That's life program" and the "Golden jobs worth hat!" lets bring it back!:)