Building Works and Bats
All of the UK’s bats and their roosts are protected by law. This guidance is intended to help property owners and all involved in managing, maintaining or making changes to buildings, or using the buildings, avoid infringing the law.
Always start with the assumption that bats are present in a building or the surrounding site, unless a bat survey within the last 2 years shows that no bats or signs of bats are present.
Plan all works well in advance so that a bat survey can be carried out and the works progressed when least disturbance will be caused to the bats.
If you come across a bat or bats during the course of work, stop working in that area and seek immediate advice. You must either arrange the work in a way that will avoid committing an offence or obtain a licence from Natural England.
If you have questions or concerns about bats, please check out the Bat Conservation Trust website or call the National Bat Helpline on 0345 1300 228.
Where bats are found, and/or minor works are proposed in homes or churches, a Bat Conservation Trust Voluntary Bat Roost Visitor may be able to visit and provide advice.
For other projects, particularly those involving planning permission, it may be necessary to commission surveys and advice from a bat specialist consultant. The Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) provides searchable directories of consultants.
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Why Bats Use Buildings
Bats use roofs and other building features as roosts; and the grounds and nearby trees may be important too.
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British Bats and Their Life Cycles
There are 18 species of bat living in the UK. Building works need to be carefully programmed not to clash with bats’ occupancy of their roosts.
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What to Do If You Find a Bat
In general, it is an offence for anyone other than a licensed bat specialist to handle bats. If possible, leave the bat to find its own way out.
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Buildings, Bats and the Law
The laws protecting all species of bats and their breeding sites found in the UK and the penalties for breaking them.
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Bat Mitigation Licences
When and how to use a bat mitigation licence when carrying out work in buildings with bats.
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Bat Surveys
Bat surveys are used to determine numbers and types of bats present as well as access points within a building.
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Planning Changes to Buildings with Bats
From the outset, include bats in your planning of building works, including maintenance.
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Timber Treatments and Pest Control
Chemical treatments to control insect damage or rot to timber, and other insect swarms may harm bats.
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Works to Roofs, Walls and Building Services
Almost all UK bat species have been found roosting in roofs. Any work that you carry out on roofs may affect bats.
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Managing Properties for Bats and People
Advice on occasional bat-related issues, from droppings and smells to managing events.
This guidance is specific for buildings in England. It has been prepared by Historic England, Natural England, English Heritage, the National Trust and the Bat Conservation Trust.
Our Technical Tuesday webinar, with the Bat Conservation Trust, takes you through our guidance on building works and bats.
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