Client: Private client

Location: Downderry, Cornwall

Services Provided

• Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)

• Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)

• Bat Emergence Surveys

• EPS Mitigation Licence Application

• Supervised Roof Strip under Ecological Watching Brief

The Challenge

The client’s previous planning application for a home extension and solar panel installation was rejected due to insufficient ecological evidence. Having already incurred considerable cost, they urgently needed a compliant, efficient solution to resubmit. Our challenge was to respond rapidly, review the case critically, and address outstanding concerns—particularly around a suspected bat roost—to enable planning success and avoid legal breaches.

The Solution

We acted quickly and pragmatically, initiating a suite of three bat emergence surveys between May and July 2024 in line with best practice. We also updated the ecological baseline with a habitat survey. The findings supported a detailed Ecological Impact Assessment, submitted as part of a new planning application.

Consent was granted two months later. We prepared and secured a European Protected Species Mitigation Licence to lawfully manage two bat species roosting on site. In January 2025, we supervised the roof strip under the terms of the licence, confirming active roosts and ensuring full legal compliance during works.

The Result

The client achieved planning approval and avoided regulatory breaches. Our comprehensive, timely ecological input ensured the legal protection of bats, safeguarded the project, and restored momentum after an initial planning setback.