A Preliminary Roost Assessment, also known as PRA, is often required for planning permission and is used to evaluate buildings, trees and surrounding habitats to determine their suitability for roosting bats.
The main aim of a PRA is to gather as much information about the site and the surrounding area to assess the potential impacts of a proposed development on bats.
When Would a Preliminary Roost Assessment Be Needed?
A PRA is needed for proposed developments that may affect bats or their roosts. All bats in the UK and their roosts are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, regardless of whether they are present at the time.
Any activities that could damage or obstruct access to a bat roost are an offence unless carried out under an appropriate licence. Local planning authorities often request a PRA to ensure compliance with these legislations as well as planning policies.
This assessment is typically recommended if your development project involves:
- Developments affecting structures in rural or semi-rural locations
- Tree works on old trees
- Modifying roof spaces
- Demolition, renovation, or extension of buildings
- Proposals located near woodland or other habitats known to support bats
If no evidence of bats or suitable roosting habitats are identified, a PRA can help confirm that no further bat surveys or mitigation measures are necessary.
What’s Involved in a PRA?
A PRA consists of these 3 stages:
Desk Study
The first stage involves reviewing all available ecological information to understand the landscape of the site before the in-person survey visit. The surrounding area and habitat records are assessed for existing bat roosts to help determine if any bat species are nearby.
Site Visit
The second stage is where a licensed ecologist will visit the site and carry out a detailed internal and external inspection of the building or structure to identify any signs.
The inspection begins with an assessment of the site perimeter to identify any access points where a bat could enter, followed by analysing the internal areas, including lofts and roof spaces, for evidence of current or past bat use.
Evaluation and Reporting
Based on the findings from the desk study and site visit, a report will be created to determine the site’s suitability for roosting bats and assess the potential impacts of the proposed works.
The report will include a suitability categorisation, with categories of negligible, low, medium and high. A negligible classification indicates that no further bat surveys are required and that the planning application can proceed. Low, medium, and high classifications will generally require further bat activity surveys to establish bat presence and to determine whether mitigation methods and licences are required.
Where potential is identified, further surveys are usually required; where no potential is identified, developments can move forward.
How Greenlight Environmental Can Help
Greenlight brings decades of experience in delivering environmental consultancy services and expert PRA surveys across the UK. Our experienced ecologists carry out Preliminary Roost Assessments efficiently and in-line with both current legislation and best practice, helping to identify potential constraints early and avoid unnecessary delays to planning.
Get in touch today to discuss your next project and how Greenlight can help you not just meet but exceed your expectations.
