A potential six-month delay to a major regeneration project in Leicester was averted this winter, thanks to a rapid, expert-led intervention by BWB’s Ecology team that balanced public safety with strict wildlife protection.
The project, known as ‘The Leys’, involves the demolition of a seven-storey tower block owned by Leicester City Council. Originally slated for redevelopment, the building was deemed unviable due to extensive asbestos contamination. The site is now being cleared to make way for a new residential development.
BWB was appointed to provide specialist ecology services for the site, which began with standard pre-demolition bat surveys in the summer of 2025.
The Unexpected Visitor: An Opportunistic Roost
Initial assessments, using high-powered binoculars and endoscopes, graded the tower block as having low potential for bat roosts, and a subsequent dusk survey confirmed no roosting. However, when demolition began in December, the team encountered a unique and complex challenge.
As contractors began removing asbestos within a specialist polythene enclosure, two bats were discovered inside the protected environment. Seeking warmth as the winter temperatures dropped, the bats had moved into the temporary structure after the initial surveys were completed.
It is important to note that our previous rigorous surveys showed no bats were present to begin with; instead, by starting demolition and creating a warm, sheltered space, the project inadvertently created a new, temporary roost.
A Technical and Legal Deadlock
The discovery brought work to an immediate standstill. Under normal circumstances, bat mitigation cannot take place during the winter hibernation season, which could have delayed the project until the following summer.
However, the presence of asbestos meant the enclosure could not be left open or unattended without risking the release of hazardous fibres into the surrounding residential area. The project was caught in a deadlock: it was too dangerous to leave the asbestos exposed, but legally impossible to proceed without a specialist licence.
The Only Path Forward: Earned Recognition
This is where BWB’s unique expertise changed the project’s trajectory. Sarah Stone, Technical Manager at BWB, holds an Earned Recognition (ER) Bat Licence, a prestigious accreditation held by only a small number of ecologists in the UK.
This status is only granted to those who have undergone extensive training and proved their expertise to Natural England. It allowed BWB to bypass the standard, lengthy application queues and move straight to a professional-led submission. BWB was uniquely positioned to act; without this specific accreditation and our expertise in the area, the project would have faced a longer shutdown.
Innovative Monitoring: Ensuring No Bats Were Harmed
Our team worked through the Christmas period to deliver a solution that satisfied both wildlife law and public health requirements. Within 24 hours of the call, we submitted a methodology to Natural England based on Public Health and Safety grounds. We followed this up with numerous calls and emails to ensure Natural England understood the severity of the situation but also were satisfied that the procedures to be put in place would ensure the long-term favourable conservation status of the bats. The licence was granted within three working weeks of submission to allow the project to continue.
To ensure the bats’ safety without breaching the asbestos containment, we designed “observation windows” in the enclosure. This would allow our ecologists to monitor the area during completion of the asbestos removal works.
Based on our site visits and the bats’ opportunistic nature, we believed the bats had naturally moved on from the area after the initial disturbance. To confirm this and ensure no bats were harmed or physically removed, BWB delivered bespoke on-site training to the contractors. This enabled them to proceed with meticulous hand demolition of the affected area under our direct supervision, from outside the enclosure.
The Outcome: 5 Days, Not 5 Months
The project was anticipated to be completed with just five days of additional work, a remarkable result given the potential for a half-year delay. No bats were found during the final supervised demolition, confirming they had safely vacated the site on their own terms. All final reports were accepted by Natural England, and the asbestos was safely contained, protecting the Leicester community.
“This was a truly unique case that required us to think outside the box—quite literally,” says Sarah Stone. “The complexity of balancing the legal protection of bats with the extreme risks of asbestos removal required a highly creative approach. Our Earned Recognition licence was the key that unlocked this deadlock. It allowed us to prove that with the right expertise, you can protect both the local ecology and the public, even in the most challenging conditions.”
About BWB Ecology
Our Ecology team provides a full range of services from preliminary assessments to complex mitigation and licensing. With specialist Earned Recognition status, we provide a streamlined, expert-led service that keeps projects on track when others cannot.