According to Natural England, the low impact bat class licence trial has covered 120 sites in England, saving money, reducing delays and enabling a speedier licencing process to take place.

The licence, which is being overseen by 32 registered and trained consultants, permits development work that affects low conservation status roosts, such as day, night or feeding roosts, affecting small numbers of common bat species.

The trial, which began last July, will run until the end of June 2014. Natural England is currently reviewing the trial licence and its use. It hopes to formally introduce this new licence in Summer 2014.