To improve the existing property, the owners of a semi-detached residential house located in Urmston, Greater Manchester had applied for planning permission to complete a garage conversion and implement a dormer to create usable space within the loft for an additional bedroom.

A former bat preliminary roost assessment had already been carried out at the property by another ecology firm however, the results of the survey confirmed the requirement of one nocturnal bat roost survey to confirm present or likely-absence of roosting bats.

Northwest Ecology completed one nocturnal bat roost survey within 2 weeks of commission, to determine whether roosting bats were present and if so, the species and status of roost, in accordance with Bat Conservation Trust Survey Guidelines (Collins, 2023).

The nocturnal survey commenced 15 minutes prior to sunset and finish 1.5 hours after sunset. Each surveyor used a full spectrum bat detector, recording bat passes for subsequent sonogram analysis and night vision camera equipment to aid identification of the roost status.

No roosting bats were observed during the survey and therefore no further surveys were required. In order to comply with national and local policies, recommendations were provided within the report for the installation of two bat roosting features installed during construction, to provide local opportunities for roosting bats once development is completed and ensures there is no loss of roosting habitat at the site.

Our report was completed within one week of the nocturnal survey taking place and was submitted to support the planning application. Development of the property was continued without major delays.