What is a Preliminary Roost Assessment in Cheshire?

We carried out this Preliminary Roost Assessment in Cheshire as part of a planning application. A Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) is carried out to establish whether the premises provides a suitable roosting site or a habitat for bats. This assessment is the first stage in the surveying process for bats and is often requested by the local planning authorities to ensure that the new development will not affect bats in the area. Preliminary Roost Assessments in Cheshire can be conducted at any time of the year and are undertaken during daylight hours. Depending on the findings of the PRA further surveys may be needed. Please note that these further surveys can only be carried out during the bat survey season.

What Happens Following a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)?

If no evidence of bats is found on the site, then a PRA is all that will be needed. However, if there is evidence of bats in the building or structure or if the site is identified to be a suitable habitat for bats then the next step would be to have a bat emergence survey carried out. Please note, these can only be undertaken between May and September.

An emergence survey records the level of bat activity. These are undertaken at night to allow our surveyors to monitor and record whether bats fly out of the building/structure or not. If no bats are recorded, then that’s all that required. Alternatively, if bats are recorded entering and exiting the building then a further survey will be required to assess whether the bats will be affected by the proposed development. In the event that the development is identified as causing damage or disturb to roosting bats then a bat licence will need to be obtained in order to continue with the works.

However, if the development is able to proceed without any damage or disturbance to the areas where bats are roosting, then the development can proceed providing that you follow the recommended precautions.