Bat Low Impact Class Licence certification

Our Unit Ecology Manager, Charlotte Sanderson, recently qualified as a registered BLICL consultant, one of 120 suitably experienced ecologists in the UK that are certified to offer the service.  The BLICL aims to reduce the administrative burden on Natural England when assessing and issuing European Protected Species Mitigation Licences (EPSML), where development works are proposed to impact bat roosts of low conservation significance.

As part of Natural England's earned recognition project in collaboration with the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), the Bat Low Impact Class Licence permits works that have an impact on roosts of low conservation significance occupied by a small number of bats of common species.  As an example, this could apply to a commercial building where a day roost of a couple of common pipistrelle bats has been found.

Launched at the beginning of April 2015, the BLICL offers a much efficient and proportional approach to licensing for sites that meet the criteria:

• Faster processing of licence applications: 10 working days as opposed to 30 working days;
• Reduced burden for clients affected by delays to works and increased costs;
• Robust legal approach: not requiring completion of Reasoned Statement, however necessary planning permissions must still be in place.

The Bat Low Impact Class Licence still requires full surveys to be carried out to determine the bat species as well as the type of roost present, so contact us to discuss whether a Low Impact Bat Class Licence is appropriate for a site under consideration.

View all Delta-Simons Ecology services.