**Document:** DEFA Ecosystem Policy Officer
**Application:** 25/10154/AIR — Information in relation to condition 3 of PA 21/00036/B detailing bat boxes
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2026-01-29
**Parish:** Santon
**Document Type:** consultation / defa_response
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/96344-isle-of-man-oatlands-farm-road-santon-information-relation-condition/documents/1148307

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# DEFA Ecosystem Policy Officer

### Shen, Peiran

From: Costain, Sophie (DEFA) Sent: 08 January 2026 12:23 To: DEFA, Planning Conditions Cc: mark@ellisbrown.im Subject: PA 25/10154/AIR - Information in relation to condition 3 of PA 21/00036/B

detailing bat boxes, Oatlands Farm, Oatlands Road, Santon

Good afternoon

RE: PA 25/10154/AIR - Information in relation to condition 3 of PA 21/00036/B detailing bat boxes, Oatlands Farm, Oatlands Road, Santon

The Ecosystem Policy Team can confirm that we are content with the proposed location, number and type of bat boxes, all of which are to be erected in line with the Manx Bat Group’s and Ecosystem Policy Team’s advice.

Important Information As active protected bat roosts are present in the buildings and are to be impacted by the proposed works, prior to works commencing it is a legal requirement for written advice to be obtained from the DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team, containing a working methodology to: avoid the killing/injuring/disturbing of bats; enable the retention of existing roost sites and/or allow for the responsible and lawful destruction of bat roosts; avoid damage to existing bat roosts; and to enable the provision of replacement roost spaces. This is in line with sections 9 and 10 of the Wildlife Act 1990. Any work on a bat roost without receiving such advice would be an offence. The obtaining of planning permission and the discharging of conditions does not negate the need to obtain such advice.

In order to provide this advice the applicant will need to get buildings re-assessed by a suitably qualified ecological consultancy. This will initially just involve an internal and external inspection, but the ecologist may advise that further survey is required if they suspect that the roosts have changed significantly since the assessment took place in 2021, or there is some ambiguity about how bats are currently using the buildings.

We recommend that the applicant gets in contact with the Ecosystem Policy Team well in advance of works commencing to initiate the process of obtaining the advice.

Best wishes

## Sophie Costain (she/her) (Miss)

Ecosystem Policy Officer

Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Website: www.gov.im/defa Tel +44 (0)1624 685963 | Mob +44 (0)7624 431301 | Email sophie.costain@gov.im Ecosystem Policy Team Tel +44 (0)1624 651577 | Email ecopolicy@gov.im DEFA - working for a clean, safe, healthy, attractive and vibrant environment which will be enjoyed by present and future generations alike.

Our Island, Our Environment, Our Future.

#### Working Together for a Sustainable Future Gobbragh Cooidjagh Son Traa Ry-Heet Shassooagh

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*Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).*
*Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/96344-isle-of-man-oatlands-farm-road-santon-information-relation-condition/documents/1148307*