Bat hibernation roost safeguarded and improved
To enable the adjacent house to be demolished and a new property to be developed within the same plot, an existing bat hibernation roost within the grounds needed to be stabilised and safeguarded. An ambitious and bespoke approach was required to achieve the conservations aims and therefore to obtain support and consent for the development proposal.
Several seasons of bat survey work and extensive discussions allowed an approach to be agreed, which was supported by local nature conservation consultees and wasthen the subject of a successful European Protected Species bat licence.
Following the renovation works, the structure concerned is now effectively a bat basement concealed underground. The arched roof, which had been threatening to fall in, has been successfully pinned to a new supporting block and beam roof above. A new front wall has been built and the structure has been covered over with soil and landscaped into the hillside.
The bat access route has been altered but, following two years of monitoring it is clear that bats have had no difficulty in finding their way in. Over the last two winters, three species have been found hibernating in the chamber, with numbers equalling the highest numbers recorded over the last 15 years. New bat brick features are proving popular, whilst pre-existing crevices are still being used as well. Monitoring will continue through the involvement of the local bat group.
