Introduction
- Project description
- Re-development and extension of existing pavilion including partial re-roof. Blocking of all existing bat access points.
- Ecologist’s name and contact details
- Robert Bell, Middleton Bell Ecology robert@middletonbellecology.co.uk
- Planning authority
- Kirklees Council
- Brief site description
- Former pavilion located adjacent to extensive area of replanted ancient woodland
Pre-works roost structure
- Type of structure
- Building
- Use
- Other
- Condition
- Not In Use
- Approx. age
- 1954
- Main construction material of walls
- Brick
- Roof design
- Pitched Roof
- Roof material
- Clay Tiled
- Internal roof structure
- Timber Frame
- Lighting present on site and its proximity to the roost
- No lighting was present close to the pavilion
- Photos or annotated figures of roost structure
Pre-works roost description
- Species
- Brown long-eared bat
- Number of bats max count
- 22
- Type of roost
- Maternity Roost
- Evidence of bats
- Droppings Visual
- Roost location
- In Roof Void
- Aspect of roost
- Various
- Height of roost entrance (m)
- 2.5
- Roost material(s)
-
- Bitumen Felt
- Nearest commuting feature
- Woodland
- Distance to nearest commuting feature (m)
- 15m
- Photos or annotated figures of roost
Proposed works
- Description of works
- Re-development and extension of existing pavilion including partial re-roof. Blocking of all existing bat access points. Construction of terraced seating to northwest of building.
- Type of impact upon the roost
- Long-Term Roost Modification and Roost Loss
- Relevant annotated figures
Proposed mitigations
- Type of mitigation
- Mitigation
- Specific technical detail of measure
- New access points comprising six 'Morris' style bat access slates were fitted across four roof pitches. Slots were cut in adjacent roof felt to allow access into the roof void. Timber panels were fitted between rafters at base of slots in felt to provide landing points. Two 0.5m high triangles of plastic sheeting were fitted to apex of trusses at either end of void to reduce airflow and glass fibre insulation was laid on ceiling.
- Relevant annotated figures
- Roost location
- In Roof Void
- Aspect of roost
- Various
- Height of roost entrance (m)
- 2.5
- Roost material(s)
-
- Bitumen Felt
- Timber Roof Frame
- Clay Tiles
- Nearest commuting feature
- Woodland
- Distance to nearest commuting feature (m)
- 15
Actual mitigations implemented
- Type of mitigation
- Mitigation
- Specific technical detail of measure
- Bat access to the roof void took the form of six ‘Morris’ style bat access slates spread across the four roof slopes and three soffit access points installed in the front and rear elevations. Gaps were maintained between ridge tiles and the ridge board with blockages created approximately once per metre to prevent draughts. Holes cut in underfelt adjacent to ‘Morris’ slate and alongside the ridge beam to provide access into the ridge tunnel. Main pavilion building re-roofed with new and existing roof tiles, new bitumastic underfelt, new floor level insulation, wooden soffits and new guttering. The roof void will be retained for sole use of bats.
- Relevant annotated figures
- Roost location
- In Roof Void
- Aspect of roost
- NW
- Height of roost entrance (m)
- 2.5
- Roost material(s)
-
- Bitumen Felt
- Timber Roof Frame
- Nearest commuting feature
- Woodland
- Distance to nearest commuting feature (m)
- Not reported
- Photos or annotated figures of roost
- Type of mitigation
- Compensation
- Specific technical detail of measure
- Two Schwegler 1FD bat boxes and one Schwegler 1FS will be fitted to an oak tree to be retained adjacent to the pavilion.
- Relevant annotated figures
- Roost location
- Other
- Aspect of roost
- N
- Height of roost entrance (m)
- Not reported
- Roost material(s)
-
- Brickwork
- Nearest commuting feature
- Hedge
- Distance to nearest commuting feature (m)
- Not reported
- Photos or annotated figures of roost
Monitoring data
- Length of monitoring proposed
- 2
- Frequency of monitoring
- 3 times between 23 May 2013 and 30 July 2014 for licence and voluntary follow up check on 13th October 2021
- Type of monitoring
- Roost Inspection
- Date and time
- 23rd May 2013 01:00
- Evidence recorded
- Approximately 20 fresh bat droppings seen beneath the south-eastern roof hip indicating the return of at least one brown long-eared bat to the roost following the re-roofing works
- Interventions made
- None
- Type of monitoring
- Roost Inspection
- Date and time
- 26th August 2013 01:00
- Evidence recorded
- Inspection of roof void recorded up to 300 fresh droppings in numerous locations on newly fitted glass-fibre insulation, mostly beneath the ridge beam. Findings indicate the return of the brown long-eared roost during the summer months. A dusk survey undertaken on the same date by recorded no bats emerging from the pavilion roof void, possibly indicating brown long-eared bats had subsequently abandoned the roost.
- Interventions made
- None
- Type of monitoring
- Dusk and Dawn Survey
- Date and time
- 30th July 2014 01:00
- Evidence recorded
- Dusk emergence survey undertaken. 18 brown long-eared bats and 2 common pipistrelles were recorded emerging from various locations along the ridge and from two access tiles on the pavilion roof. Brown long-eared bats were observed roosting in various locations along the ridge beam immediately prior to the survey.
- Interventions made
- None
- Type of monitoring
- Dusk and Dawn Survey
- Date and time
- 13th October 2021 13:00
- Evidence recorded
- Thousands of droppings spread across insulation below ridge beam and a cluster of 12+ bats roosting on ridge. Despite the late stage of the season a dusk count was undertaken recorded nine emerging brown long-eared bat from one lead slate and one emerging whiskered or Brandt's bat from a second lead slate
- Interventions made
- None
- Photos or annotated figures
Final details
- Lessons learned
- Retention of brown long-eared bat roost in its existing location is likely to be key to mitigation success and the bats tolerated the complete loss of existing access points. Lead access tiles were quickly adopted by brown long-eared bats with a whiskered/Brandt bat also using this type of access points. Bringing of a disused building into active use does not appear to have negatively impacted the roost.
