Markie87 said:
If the hole i found was just for drainage i dont get why there would be any point in it having a ladder. Also there is a rope tied to a tree dangling into it where someone has gone in to have a look at some point. I will go and have a proper look when i get the chance, probably thursday
Certainly have a look and report back, however with something like this I would be very surprised if an ecologist said that there are no underground features suitable for bat's if they didn't check. Since bat's are legally protected, an ecologist could loose their licence if they make an unsupported claim that leaf to harm to a bat.
They would also have been able to charge some decent fees for a confined spaces entry and survey and there would be no way the developer could dispute the fees.
Regarding the ladder, manhole chambers over a certain depth require ladders, so I wouldn't read too much into it.
If you are going back, it would be worth having a look around, as the report noted two 5m deep man-made features.