Introduction

Project description
Refurbishment project for disused barn hosting roosts for several species, including Natterer's bat, common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and brown long-eared bat.
Ecologist’s name and contact details
Ecology Services UK Ltd
Planning authority
Macclesfield Borough Council
Brief site description
Barn in rural setting, surrounded by horse grazing, extensive hedgerow network, farm fields managed as pasture, occasional farms and private houses.

Pre-works roost structure

Type of structure
Building
Use
Agricultural Building
Condition
Not In Use
Approx. age
100 years
Main construction material of walls
Brick
Roof design
Pitched Roof
Roof material
Slate
Internal roof structure
Timber Frame

Pre-works roost description

Species
Natterer’s bat
Number of bats max count
2
Type of roost
Day Roost
Evidence of bats
Bats Recorded Emerging/Re-entering
Roost location
Roof Timbers
Aspect of roost
S
Height of roost entrance (m)
8m
Roost material(s)
  • timberRoofFrame
Nearest commuting feature
Hedge
Distance to nearest commuting feature (m)
Not reported

Proposed works

Description of works
Purpose built bat boxes and bat barns were provided as compensation for roost removal during the refurbishment process.
Type of impact upon the roost
Long-Term Roost Modification and Roost Loss

Proposed mitigations

Type of mitigation
Compensation
Specific technical detail of measure
An alternative building with suitable replacement features (including roost environments) were provided within 65 metres of the original barn which was refurbished.
Size: 8030mm x 4000mm base dimensions
Materials: Brick outer walls, breeze block inner walls, slate roof with bitumen felt underlining for the roost features affected by the development.
Roost location
Bat House
Aspect of roost
N
Height of roost entrance (m)
Not reported
Roost material(s)
  • Brickwork
  • Bitumen Felt
  • Slate Tiles
Nearest commuting feature
Hedge
Distance to nearest commuting feature (m)
Not reported

Actual mitigations implemented

Type of mitigation
Compensation
Specific technical detail of measure
An alternative building with suitable replacement features (including roost environments) were provided within 65 metres of the original barn which was refurbished.
Size: 8030mm x 4000mm base dimensions
Materials: Brick outer walls, breeze block inner walls, slate roof with bitumen felt underlining for the roost features affected by the development.
Roost location
Other
Aspect of roost
N
Height of roost entrance (m)
Not reported
Roost material(s)
  • Brickwork
  • Bitumen Felt
  • Slate Tiles
Nearest commuting feature
Hedge
Distance to nearest commuting feature (m)
Not reported

Monitoring data

Length of monitoring proposed
At least three years
Frequency of monitoring
Not reported
Type of monitoring
Roost Inspection
Date and time
1st June 2011
Evidence recorded
First bat droppings noted in June 2011, along with 3 adult brown long eared bats roosting against ridge beam 3 years after development.
Interventions made
Reduce light levels in bat barn roof space. Prevent barn owls and kestrels gaining access to bat barn.

Final details