bat scoping survey · bat scoping survey former miskin primary school • keep, transport, sell or...
TRANSCRIPT
Bat Scoping Survey
Project: Former Miskin Primary School, Miskin
Instructed by: Trivallis
Reported by: Ecological Services Ltd 10 Mount Pleasant, Llanelly Hill, Abergavenny, Monmouth NP7 0NT
Reported by
T: 07305143857 E: [email protected] W: www.ecologicalservices.wales
Author Date Version
Ash Harris 19th February 2020 V1.0
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Report Constraints
3. Legal Constraints
4. General Information
5. External Scoping Survey
6. Internal Scoping Survey
7. Summary of Survey Findings
8. Concluding Remarks and Recommendations
Appendix
Site Photo’s
Aerial View of Site in Wider Landscape
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
1. Introduction
The applicant is seeking planning permission to convert the current building into 13
affordable dwellings. The current building is centred at ST 0494181124 and is currently un-
used but has previously been used as a school but most recently as offices and storage.
A data search was undertaken with SEWBReC to provide data on local bat and bird species
in the area. The closest bat record to site is approximately 220m away and is for a soprano
pipistrelle bat but it's unclear if it's a roost or foraging / commuting record. The next closest
record is for foraging / commuting pipistrelle species of bat approximately 230m away. A
soprano pipistrelle maternity roost is thought to be present approximately 550m away from
the proposed development site. There are limited records for bats within 1km of the site being
mostly unidentified bat species calls. Commuting and foraging noctule and serotine bat
records are present 1.2km away from site.
There are a number of common bird records also provided within 1km of the development
site. Species records include house Martin, house sparrow, barn owl herring gull, great tit,
blue tit and spotted fly catcher. There are no species records for the building itself.
1.1 Site Description
The former primary school is a detached single story building and considered to be set within
a semi rural location. The building is situated to the north east of the settlement of Miskin and
is immediately surrounded by houses to the north south and west, however open fields, tree
lines and hedgerows are present to the east of the building. Hendy Quarry sits approximately
200m to the south east of the building.
External Description
The building is a detached building stone built structure with brick surrounding the doors and
windows. Whilst the building is only single storey the height of the roof line creates a tall
building. The building has a pitched artificial slate tile roof with ridge tiles. The roof layout is
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
complex perhaps indicating extensions to the original building. Two extensions are present on
the rear (south east) elevation. A single dormer window is visible on the central roof line
between the two extensions. The northern most section has a hipped roof and a brick and
stone built chimney. A small single storey flat roof extension is present to the north of this
section and is currently used as the entrance to the building. A single dormer window is
present on the north elevation and two dormer windows are present on the south.
The front (north west) of the building is ‘U’ shaped with a small Louvre window or vent
present on the ridge line. There is an extension to the roof line at either end of the central roof
/ part of the building. Two sky lights are present on the most southern front facing extension.
Wooden fascia, soffit and barge boards are present around all elevations of the building.
Internal Description
Internally the building has been cleared out with only the main walls and part of any loft
voids left. The southern half of the building has not attic void present being open to the
rafters. It appears that the roof may have been re-roofed in the past and had a breathable
roofing membrane fitted in this area only. The central section of the roof and extension to the
north west of the building do not appear to have any roofing membrane present. A vaulted
ceiling is present in this area with an attic space above it. Open attic hatches and holes in the
ceiling allowed a view into the space above.
The roof line of the extension to the north east (rear) of the building appears to be lath and
plaster with a small attic space above it. Again the attic hatch was missing in this area. Gaps
in the stonework were present at the gable apex on two gable ends of the building. They
appear to be arrow slit windows or similar.
A pile of twigs were noted on the ground adjacent to the south east gable wall below an arrow
slit window. However this could be coincidental and a result of sweeping up debris by former
owners.
1.2 Survey Constraints
Access into the attic spaces within the building was not possible due to the height of the void
and concerns over the structural integrity of the ceiling.
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
1.3 Surveyor Experience
Aislinn Harris is a full member of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental
Management (CIEEM). Aislinn is an ecologist with 10 years experience undertaking a wide
range of flora and fauna surveys. Aislinn is a licence bat worker with a current NRW survey
licence (SO85699-1).
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
2. Report Constraints
Ecological surveys are limited by factors which affect the presence of plants and animals
such as the time of year, migration patterns and behaviour. The survey methods employed can
provide evidence for the potential presence of bat at the times when the site was visited.
Although the methods follow best practice guidance and were carried out in such a way as to
maximise the chances of detection, failure to detect the target species cannot be considered as
definitive proof of their absence.
Even though bats are habitual creatures they can still move to new roosts if conditions are
more suitable. Therefore this report cannot predict the status of the structure in regard to bat
occupancy in the future. This report should be acted upon as soon as it is practical and will be
valid for two year from date of issue. If planning or building works are delayed, it is the
responsibility of the client to discuss and gain approval from the author before work
commences. Natural Resources Wales will only consider bat reports that are undertaken in
the preceding 2 years
3. Legal Constraints
Bats, and any place a bat uses for breeding or shelter, either currently occupied or unoccupied
are protected by European and British law, predominantly by The Conservation of Habitats
and Species Regulations 2017 which are the principal means by which the Habitats
Directive is transposed from European directive into law in England and Wales.
In summary this law states that it is an offence to:
• Deliberately capture or kill a bat
• Deliberately disturb a bat • Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
• Keep, transport, sell or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange a living or dead
bat or any part of a bat
‘Deliberately’ may also be interpreted, as not intending to injure or kill a bat but having done
so due to being insufficiently informed and unaware of the consequences of the action. For a
more comprehensive description and exact wording of the legislation please refer to:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/490/contents/made
Where there is a risk that a bat roost may be present, it is incumbent upon the owner to
commission a specialist bat survey to identify bat roosts before any work commences.
Maximum penalties for offences relating to disturbance to bats or their roosts can amount to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or fines of up to Level 5 on the standard
scale under the Criminal Justice Act 1982/1991 (i.e. £5000 in April 2001) per roost or bat
disturbed or killed, or to both.
If a bat roost is discovered no work that could affect the roost can be undertaken until Natural
Resources Wales (NRW), grants a licence endorsing the work. A thorough method statement
and adequate mitigation proposal will need to be submitted to support any licence
application.
4. General Information
Bats are unable to build roosts themselves but instead rely on both man made and naturally
occurring features to provide suitable accommodation. Bats generally prefer older buildings
built with traditional materials, as traditional building methods provide more opportunities
for gaps and entrances to buildings. Traditional cut roofs are preferred to a roof with trusses.
Bats also prefer to roost where the external roost area has access to sunlight during the day
such as south facing roof elevations.
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
Bats can utilise the following features on a building; end tiles, barge board, soffit, gable end,
porch, lead flashing hanging tiles, ridge tiles, broken tiles, eaves, sash window frame, wood
cladding, fascia board, window sill, and internal roof spaces and timbers. Although this list
demonstrates the most popular roosting sites it is by no means definitive. Bats can use
apertures as small as 10mm in diameter to gain access.
The U.K bat population is divided into two distinct families, Rhinolophidae and
Vespertilionidae. In general, Rhinolophidae (Horse Shoe) bats differ in there roosting
requirement to Vespertilionidae (The remainder of UK bat species), in that Horseshoe bats
prefer to roost in large areas such as internal attic spaces and hang in the open from the roof
of the roost. The bats tend to roost in visible clusters to maintain the high temperatures that a
maternity colony needs. Horseshoe bats also prefer free flight access and egress into the
roosting area. Horseshoe bats tend to be more light averting to other UK bat species, and
routinely fly around the internal roosting area to warm up before exiting. It is noted that
Plecotus (Long Eared) bats share some of these preferences. Vesper bats are on the whole are
crevice dwelling bats who squeeze into small apertures to access the roost. These like
Horseshoe bats will cluster in maternity colonies, but are normally hidden from view. Vesper
bats with the exception of Long Eared bats do not require a large internal roost to fly around
before exit. Long Eared bats although part of the vesper family are very light averting and
will on occasions share the roosting patterns of both Horseshoe and crevice dwelling species.
5. External Scoping Survey
A scoping survey was undertaken on the 30th January 2020 in conditions of good natural
light, the majority of external aspects of the buildings were comprehensively evaluated for
roost potential. Evidence was also sought for any staining or droppings, which could suggest
bat occupation. Binoculars were used when required.
The building was inspected for overt evidence of bat presence and occupation such as: • Staining around entry or roosting point caused by oils secreted by the bat
into its fur
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
• Scratching on surfaces caused by the bat in the act of take off and landing
• Bat droppings on walls, floors, roof voids, window cills or panes and barge
boards
• Urine stains below a possible entrance site, within entrance to a cavity
or on timbers used for roosting • Bats can produce chatter on warm evenings prior to leaving the roost. A
heterodyne bat detector is used to help determine this
• Flies around entrance or on the floor of possible roosts, which may be
attracted to bat guano.
The roof tiles of the building appear to be in very good condition with hardly any gaps
or cracks visible. The flashing around the cheeks of the dormer windows does not
appear tight. The louvred window or vent could also have gaps within it suitable for bat
access. The rafters of the roof appear to be exposed at eaves level around the building
and there appears to be some gaps between the soffit boards and walls on the gable ends
as well. Photos of the building are shown in Appendix 1. No evidence of the presence of bats
was noted on the exterior of the building.
6. Internal Scoping Survey
An internal inspection of the building within the proposed development site footprint was
undertaken on the 31st January 2020. No bat droppings or evidence of bat presence was
noted within the building. Whilst it was not possible to access the attic spaces present in parts
of the building, given that there were holes in the ceiling and no attic hatches present, if a
large number of bats have been resident in the building occasional droppings falling through
gaps or from exercising in the building would be likely. However the building has been swept
in the recent past which may have removed evidence.
Crevice dwelling bats may also be present between the roofing tiles and roofing timbers of
the building. They could possibly be present between the roofing tiles and roofing membrane
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
in the southern half of the building. Evidence of their presence in this location is difficult to
ascertain based on a scoping survey alone.
No bird droppings, splashing or birds nests were noted within the building. As noted above
twigs were found in a pile on the floor at the southern half of the building. However as they
were on the floor it is thought unlikely they were from a recent birds nest.
7. Summary of Survey Findings
No evidence of the presence of bats was noted during the scoping survey completed at the
Former Miskin Primary School, Miskin. However, suitable access gaps for bats were noted
around the building. It was also not possible to access the open attic spaces present in parts of
the building and evidence of bats in these areas could have been missed. Although it must be
remembered that the attic spaces were open and any animals present in the building would
not be restricted to the attic space. Whilst no evidence of the presence of bats was noted
within the building, the presence of a ceiling could hide any droppings.
The building is located in a semi urban location being on the outskirts of Miskin. The rear
elevation of the building opens out to fields and tree lines leading to the wider countryside.
Hendy Quarry is located approximately 200m away.
No evidence of nesting bird use of the building was observed during the site inspection.
However bird nesting cannot be ruled out within the building. The arrow slit window on the
gable ends of the building and exposed rafters at the eaves could provide access for nesting
birds. Of particular relevance is the record of barn owl hunting over habitat only 190m away
from the site. Another record of possible nesting barn owl is provided via the data search
around 670m away from site.
8. Concluding Remarks and Recommendations
Based on the location of the building and the potential access points noted around the
exterior, the Former Miskin Primary School is assessed as having at least moderate
potential for bat use. Two bat activity surveys are recommended to establish the
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
presence or likely absence of bats within the building. A minimum of six experienced bat
surveyors should be used to adequately cover the building during surveys. Bat activity
surveys must follow best practice guidance given in Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists
by BCT (2016).
The results of the activity surveys can be used to devise a suitable scheme of mitigation for
the development. If bats are found to be resident within the building, a development licence
from NRW may be required for any works which affect the structure. This process is separate
to planning consent and can only be applied for once planning consent has been granted.
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
Appendix 1 – Site Photographs
Breathable roofing membrane south section View of sky lights
View of damaged interior ceiling View of open attic hatch & roof
View of unlined section of roof View of damaged interior ceiling
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
Rear (south east) elevation Flat roof extension & access into building
North east elevation South west elevation
Front (north west) elevation Front (north west) elevation
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Bat Scoping Survey Former Miskin Primary School
Appendix 2 - Aerial View of Site in Wider Landscape
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