New Build
The need to reduce our carbon footprint has led to changes in the building regulations and other incentives, all of which are important for the long term future of biodiversity in general. These changes have led to innovative techniques and designs of build and the development of new materials to meet these needs. BCT is preparing a document that gives information on the effects of some of these changes in Building Regulations where they have the potential to impact on bat conservation.
One of the key targets is reducing energy loss. This has led to the change from ventilated roof spaces to ‘airtight’ (slow exchange of air) buildings. This can be achieved in a more standard design of house by having an ‘airtight’ envelope usually comprising a breathable membrane. It may also take the form of pre-formed super-insulated panels that are constructed off-site and then rapidly put together on-site.
All low and zero-carbon build will have no capacity for bats (and other wildlife such as swifts) to enter roofspaces. In more traditional designs that use a breathable membrane, some potential for crevice dwelling bat species will remain and with the fairly common use of weather boarding/wood cladding, again some crevice dwellers (perhaps particularly pipistelle, Brandt’s and whiskered bats) will find potential roosts. However, unless positive, proactive steps are taken, there is concern that future housing stock will hold no potential for bat roosts for several species.
BCT is addressing this situation by:
- Lobbying Government via consultations and working groups.
- Chairing a UK Green Building Council Task Group on ‘putting biodiversity into sustainable construction’.
- Working with architects and developers to encourage incorporation of potential roosts.
- Collating information on successful roost design from current literature and the proceedings of the bat mitigation conference and working with developers to incorporate these into low and zero-carbon homes.
Further consultations with experienced bat workers will be needed in this process.
It is a challenging time for the building industry as efforts are made to attain the standards being set for reducing energy wastage from future housing. It is also a challenging time for our wildlife that is reliant on buildings for their roosts or nests. But it is a time of opportunity and if bat conservationists and those in the building industry work together now, then the buildings of the future can be better for us, better for the planet and, with our combined efforts, better for bats.
Practical Advice
In the future, these pages will hold information on practical measures that will allow bats to find a place to roost within new developments. For the time being, there are currently products available that can be incorporated into new build to aid bat roosting potential or access to a potential roost spaces and links to these are below. We would emphasise that we are in no way recommending these products and, as far as BCT is aware, they have yet to be reported as being successful.