A Surrey housing project stalled due to bat concerns. Officials cited insufficient surveys, prioritizing species protection.
One bat survey happened, but officials weren’t sure. Bats might still live there. The new houses would have three bedrooms, and each house would have two parking spots.
The applicant didn’t do a second bat survey to check for bats. Officials worried about harm to protected species and their habitat.
Council members voted against the plan at the meeting occurring on February 13. One council member spoke about a housing crisis and felt frustrated by the decision.
He said you’d see bat droppings if they lived there, and he thought the council needed proof of bats. Another member clarified the problem, stating they lack proof that bats aren’t there.
Councils must check for bats to protect them during construction. Planners said bat harm outweighed any housing benefit, and they advised rejecting the application.
Members wondered about appealing and asked if refusal would seem silly. An officer pointed to a similar case where the Planning Inspector upheld that refusal.
Could they approve with a bat survey condition? Officers said no, explaining that national guidelines say bat presence matters early, and they can’t demolish until they rule out bats.
One councillor would approve after a second survey, stating he saw little harm in adding two homes. A similar plan failed in July 2024 because it was too dense for the street, and that rejection is now being appealed.