Bat Licences - Land Management Practices

Bats can use a variety of places to feed and roost - many species feed and roost in woodland and many are associated with water.  They can roost in trees, buildings, bridges, tunnels, aquaducts and even caves.  Bats use of different structures can also depend upon the time of year, but they are often habitually used (i.e. they are repeatedly used over the years).  Because they are so important, bat roosts are protected even when the bats are not present.

Most land management practices are unlikely to affect bats or their roosts.  However, if you think works you are proposing might affect them, and if those impacts cannot be avoided and the work might otherwise result in an offence being committed, then it may be possible to get a licence to carry out the work proposed.  Licences can only be granted subject to strict tests being met. 

Contact Scottish Natural Heritage species licensing team for advice.