Bat studies must be carried out to receive planning permission in Co Cork

It’s being condemned as bureaucracy gone batty: People hoping to develop a house or business premises in Co Cork must pay for experts to carry out bat studies if they want to get planning permission in certain areas — even if there is no evidence the creatures are even present there.

They are also asked to ensure any structure they develop isn’t in a bat’s flightpath.

The mammals are equipped with a echo- location which can pinpoint the tiniest insects in the middle of the night, so critics say it’s highly unlikely a healthy bat would fly into a barn door.