roycroft farm, uttoxeter ... - eaststaffsbc.gov.uk application/624000/6244… · bat mitigation...

ROYCROFT FARM, UTTOXETER STAFFORDSHIRE

BAT MITIGATION STRATEGY DOCUMENT 2

A Report to Gleeson Strategic Land

Middlemarch Environmental Ltd Triumph House

Birmingham Road Allesley Coventry CV5 9AZ

Tel: 01676 525880 Fax: 01676 521400

E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.middlemarch-environmental.com

Report Number: RT-MME-115263-02

September 2013

lisa.roberts

Text Box

P/2013/01287 Received 12/11/13

Roycroft Farm, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire RT-MME-115263-02 Bat Mitigation Strategy - Document 2

ROYCROFT FARM, UTTOXETER

STAFFORDSHIRE


CONTROLLED COPY

01 OF 02

01 GLEESON STRATEGIC LAND

02 MIDDLEMARCH ENVIRONMENTAL LTD

This study was compiled by Colin Bundy BSc (Hons) MCIEEM, Licensed Bat Worker.

The contents of this report are the responsibility of Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. It should be noted that whilst every effort is made to meet the client’s brief,

no site investigation can ensure complete assessment or prediction of the natural environment.

Contract Number C115263

September 2013

Middlemarch Environmental Ltd.


CONTENTS

A Mitigation and Compenatsion ....................................................................................................... 4

A1 Summary of Mitigation Strategy ............................................................................................ 4 B Works to be undertaken by the ecologist or suitably qualified person ......................................... 6

B1 Capture and Exclusion .......................................................................................................... 6 C Works to be undertaken by the developer/site owner .................................................................. 8

C1 Bat Roosts ............................................................................................................................. 8 C1.1 In-site Retention of Roost(s) ......................................................................................... 8 C1.2 Modification of Existing Roost(s) ................................................................................... 8 C1.3 New roost creation (including bat houses, cotes and bat boxes) ................................. 9

D Post-development site safeguards ............................................................................................. 14

D1 Habitat Management and Maintenance .............................................................................. 14 D2 Population Monitoring ......................................................................................................... 14 D3 Mechanisms for Ensuring Delivery...................................................................................... 14

E Land Ownership ......................................................................................................................... 15

E1 Mitigation Site Ownerships .................................................................................................. 15 F Timetable of works ..................................................................................................................... 16



A MITIGATION AND COMPENATSION

A1 Summary of Mitigation Strategy Roycroft Farm is located to the west side of the town of Uttoxeter in Staffordshire. Proposed works

involve the redevelopment of the farmhouse and associated outbuildings, and the development of the

surrounding land for residential housing for up to 140 dwellings. The findings from the survey works

undertaken on the buildings are detailed in full within Middlemarch Environmental Ltd Report RT-

MME-115263-01. The surveys identified one common pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus summer

non-maternity roost and one Natterer’s bat Myotis naterreri summer non-maternity roost located within

the main farmhouse building (annotated on Drawing Number C115263-02-01 in Section C1.4). The

mitigation strategy for the proposed demolition works will ensure that bats are protected during the

works and that roosting sites are available at all times. The mitigation measures are appropriate for

the temporary disturbance of and minor modifications to a summer non-maternity roost used by a low

number of common pipistrelle bats, and a summer non-maternity roost used by a low number of

Natterer’s bats (<5 individuals).

As a result of the development proposals, the bat roosts identified within the main farmhouse building

would be subject to temporary disturbance during re-roofing works. However, replacement roosting

locations are to be installed prior to any works being undertaken on the roost and bats will be

excluded from the roost prior to roofing works.

Mitigation measures to be incorporated into the development will include:

• The erection of 9 no. bat boxes on three trees located close to the east boundary and along

the river course in the south of the site, prior to the redevelopment of the farmhouse and

associated roost locations. These would be retained on a permanent basis;

• Prior to the exclusion works being undertaken, a pre-work emergence (subject to works

commencing within the active season) and daytime survey will be completed, to ensure that the

bat status of the roost has not altered;

• Exclusion of bats from the roost location via removal of potential roosting features by hand

under the supervision of a licensed bat worker;

• Development of the farmhouse with new permanent bat roost units within the roof pitches and

ridge tiles and access points to roost features;

• Ensuring the roost locations remain unlit to maintain the bat connectivity between the site and

surrounding landscape;

• Maintaining habitat connectivity between the roosts and wider foraging areas; and,

• Completion of monitoring surveys in years 1 and 3 following works to the farmhouse building.

The mitigation is described in full within this report. As the project is only currently at outline planning

permission stage, some details, including the timing of works will need to be finalised in due course.

Middlemarch Environmental Ltd drawing number C115263-02-01 in Section C1.4 details the position



of the existing bat roost and location of the proposed mitigation. The proposed mitigation will ensure

that bats identified in the farmhouse building can be maintained on site at a favourable conservation

status after the proposed works.



B WORKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE ECOLOGIST OR SUITABLY QUALIFIED PERSON

B1 Capture and Exclusion

Prior to the exclusion of bats from the bat roosts within the main farmhouse building, nine bat boxes

would be installed on three trees located close to the east boundary and along the stream valley in

the south of the site. These locations are adjacent to suitable foraging habitats including mature

trees, the adjacent Bramshall Road Park and the tree lined stream valley, and avoid areas of

proposed construction works. The bat boxes will ensure that roosting opportunities for the common

pipistrelle and Natterer’s bats identified as roosting on site will be available near to the known roost

location during the development works. This mitigation will be checked by the ecologist prior to any

works commencing on the known bat roosting locations to ensure that they have been installed to the

specifications required by this mitigation strategy.

A ‘toolbox’ talk will be held with the construction team before any modification work to the building is

undertaken to ensure that the contractors are aware of the bat issues associated with the building.

This will run through the exclusion work process as detailed below and include the adoption of

appropriate methodologies to remove the features around the building to ensure no harm to bats

occurs.

Prior to the exclusion works being undertaken, a pre-work emergence survey (subject to works

commencing within the active season) and daytime survey will be completed, to ensure that the bat

status of the roost has not altered. If it is identified that the status of the roost has altered/increased,

no works will commence and a revised mitigation strategy will be submitted (if required). If the status

of the roost has not altered, the works will proceed as per this mitigation strategy.

According to Natural England’s Bat Mitigation Guidelines (2004), there are no conditions relating to

the timing of works on known roosts when they are utilised by an individual or low number of common

bats. The timings of the exclusion works and redevelopment of the farmhouse are not currently

known, but given the absence of timing restrictions is not considered to be an issue. Works would

only proceed subject to receipt of full planning and successful determination of the licence application

by Natural England.

Due to the nature of the numerous roosting features across the farmhouse, it would be unsuitable to

install one-way exclusion gates. The works will therefore be undertaken by the removal of the

suitable roost features by hand. This will include the removal of ridge and roof tiles under the

supervision of a licensed bat worker, ensuring that no bats are harmed during the works. No sarking

material is present over the majority of the roof and as such, the removal of the tiles would make the

internal loft space light and draughty, to make the building unsuitable for use by bats.



Should any bats be discovered during the exclusion works, they will be caught by hand, placed in a

cotton bag and translocated by a licensed bat worker to one of the mitigation bat boxes. Any

recovered bat droppings found during the removal of the features will be placed within the bat boxes.

If any bats are found during the subsequent re-roofing works, no further works will be undertaken (as

this would harm/disturb the bat) until a bat worker has moved the bat into one of the bat boxes by

hand.

In the unlikely event that a bat becomes injured, it will be immediately taken into care (as directed by

Bat Workers Manual, 2004). Details of a local experienced bat carer are known.

Whilst no hibernation roosts were identified during the survey work, all buildings with suitable bat

access points have the potential to support hibernating bats. The exact timing of the works is not

currently known however, should it proceed during the hibernation period, it is anticipated that there is

a low risk of encountering low numbers (<3) of torpid bats during the site works. Under Natural

England previous guidance, it will be possible to transfer up to three bats (per species) which are in a

state of torpor. Such handling will be done by a bat worker who will wear thick gloves to minimise any

heat transfer to the bat. The bats will be moved quickly to one of the bat boxes which are suitable for

year round use by crevice dwellers. If more than three bats are found then all works will cease and

Natural England contacted with a revised method statement submitted.

No exclusion works will be undertaken when it is raining to ensure no bats are exposed to unsuitable

conditions.

The bat boxes provided as mitigation and located on trees will be retained for perpetuity.

The current and proposed roosting locations can be found on drawing number C115263-02-01 in

Section C1.4.



C WORKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEVELOPER/SITE OWNER

C1 Bat Roosts

C1.1 In-site Retention of Roost(s)

The main farmhouse building will be re-roofed as part of its redevelopment and as such, the roost

locations will be replaced following the re-roofing works. Although the roosting features will be

reinstated, the different materials used will result in a slight roof modification (Section C1.2).

C1.2 Modification of Existing Roost(s)

The roost locations within the main farmhouse building will be replaced following the re-roofing

works. Although the roosting features will be reinstated, the different materials will result as a slight

roof modification. Full details of the building redevelopment and associated works to the roof (such

as tile type) are not known at this stage, however, the use a bituminous felt membrane would be

used across the roof to avoid potential risks to bats from some modern membranes. Details of the

replacement roost units are provided in Section C1.2.1.

C1.2.1 Roof Crevice Units

Two roof crevice units will be located along the apex of the main farmhouse building with one located

along the east-west aligned ridge and the other along the north-south aligned ridge (refer to Drawing

Number C115263-02-01 for the precise locations of these units). These locations are suitable for

common pipistrelle and Natterer’s bats throughout the year and will be installed at the some locations

as the existing roost locations. The units will receive natural heating from the sun, making them

suitable for roosting bats and as such no heated elements within these units are required. These

crevice units will be accessible from access points created beneath the ridge tiles. A single 20 mm x

50 mm access point will be created leading into each unit by omitting a section of mortar.

The roof crevice units will occupy a 50 mm void left between the roof tiles/felt sarking and the board

below. A 100 mm gap will be left between the edge of the crevice unit and adjacent rafter to allow air

to flow around the wooden rafters, between the roof tiles and the insulation to prevent condensation

and damp. The roof crevice units will modify this void slightly to allow a suitable crevice roosting

feature to be formed. The width of the roof crevice unit will be 100 mm short of the width between the

rafters and extend 1000 mm down from the ridge. Internal baffles will be inserted to block a section of

the void to allow for a draught free section to be utilised by the bats. The 100 mm gap along one side

will allow a through flow of air to continue around the rafters and prevent condensation build up. Three

30 mm holes will be cut at the base of each crevice unit to allow for air circulation.

Each crevice unit will be topped with a single layer of bitumen felt sarking to encourage heat transfer

from the roof tiles to maintain a constant temperature within the crevice unit. An access strip will be

left at the top of the unit to allow bats to enter unit, this will measure approximately 50 mm and extend

the width of the unit.



The roof crevice units chosen are suitable for common pipistrelle and Natterer’s bats known to be

roosting on site and are suitable for year round usage. The schematics for the crevice units can be

found detailed on Drawing Number C114980-02-03 in Section C1.4.

C1.3 New roost creation (including bat houses, cotes and bat boxes)

In line with the Bat Mitigation Guidelines (2004) it is acceptable for sites with low numbers of common

species to have flexibility over the mitigation/compensation requirement for that site. It is anticipated

that, in addition to the roof crevice units detailed in section C1.2.1, the provision of nine permanent bat

boxes located on three nearby trees together with the creation of three ridge tile roosts within the

renovated farmhouse is an acceptable form of mitigation which will maintain and enhance the

functionality of the existing bat populations on site. The bat boxes and ridge crevice units chosen are

suitable for common pipistrelle and Natterer’s bats known to be roosting on site and are suitable for

year round usage.

C1.3.1 Schwegler Bat Boxes

Nine Schwegler woodcrete bat boxes (6 x ‘2F and 3 x 2F DFP) will be installed on three trees located

close to the east boundary and along the river course in the south of the site. The bat boxes will

provide roosting locations suitable for crevice dwelling bat species during works.

Woodcrete bat boxes are constructed from a mixture of wood sawdust, concrete and clay. They are

breathable and have stable temperatures due to their insulating properties. They are waterproof and

rot proof with a life expectance of 25 years without any maintenance requirements (i.e.

weatherproofing which is required on wooden bat boxes).

The bat boxes will be placed on the trees at approximate angles of 120 degree to provide a variety of

climatic conditions (i.e. sun and shade at different times of the day). All bat boxes will be situated

higher than 3 m from the ground to prevent any negative interference.

The locations of the bat boxes installed can be found illustrated on Middlemarch Environmental Ltd

Drawing Number C115263-02-01 in Section C1.4.

C1.3.2 Ridge Tile Roosts

Three ridge tile roosts are to be incorporated into the main farmhouse building. A wooden batten (50

mm x 50 mm) will be placed on top of the ridge beam with the ridge tiles mortared on top. Prior to the

mortar setting, the batten will be removed to create a suitable void for use by roosting bats measuring

no less than 2 m in length (the end where the batten is removed will be sealed with mortar). An

access point measuring 20 mm x 50 mm will be left beneath a ridge tile to allow bat access along this

ridge roost.



C1.3.3 General

Wood

All wood used in close proximity to the known roost locations will be treated with a chemical approved

for use with bats and Natural England and will be rough sawn to provide bats with suitable landing

areas. E.g. the ridge beam associated with the ridge tile roost locations.

Lighting of site, foraging and commute routes

The farmhouse is to be redeveloped as residential accommodation and the fields to the south of the

site are to be developed for housing. The main farmhouse and outbuildings are currently subject to

lighting from streetlights along the Bramshall Road. This includes a streetlight immediately adjacent

to the buildings. Bats using the site would currently be habituated to this existing lighting.

The fields to the south are currently not subject to lighting and as such, their redevelopment will

introduce lighting to the site.

There would be no increase in lighting of the farmhouse building that would impact on the existing or

newly created roost features and access points. To the south, the landscaping of the site will retain

habitat connectivity between the main farmhouse building and wider foraging habitats to the south

and east of the site. This would include the creation of a linear park feature through the site. Lighting

would be designed to ensure that these commuting corridors are retained as dark areas which can be

used by bats for foraging and commuting to wider off site foraging habitats.

C1.4 Scaled Maps/Plans

Drawing Number C114980-02-01 details the location of current and proposed roosting locations.

Drawing Number C114980-02-02 details the construction of the ridge tile roost feature.

Drawing Number C114980-02-03 details the construction of the roof crevice unit.


!/

!/

!/

407500

407500

407600

407600

407700

407700

407800

407800

407900

407900

408000

408000

3333

00

3333

00

3334

00

3334

00

3335

00

3335

00

3336

00

3336

00

3337

00

3337

00

3338

00

3338

00

Triumph House, Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9AZT:01676 525880 F:01676 521400

E:[email protected]

$

C115263-02-01

Project

Drawing

Client

Drawing Number

Scale @ A4

Approved By Drawn By

Date

RevisionC115263-02-01

1:3,000CB CD

October 201300

Gleeson Strategic LandLocation of Current and Proposed roostRoycroft Farm, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire

LegendExisting roost:

!/Emergence/ re-entrypoint of current roost

Proposed mitigation:

!/2F Schwegler bat box(3 in total)

!/2F-DFP Schwegler batbox (3 in total)Ridge tile roostRoof crevice unitBuildingsSite boundary

This map is reproduced from the Ordance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalfof The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office. © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes

Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution of civil proceedings. Licence Number: 100040519

6

2

1 3

4

5b7

5a

0 2010 m

0 200100 m


D POST-DEVELOPMENT SITE SAFEGUARDS

D1 Habitat Management and Maintenance

The main farmhouse and associated buildings would remain essentially unchanged in layout and the

bat roosts and new roost features will be protected from negative interference works by the property

owner. The roost units will be retained for perpetuity and will not be removed or sealed up. Any

subsequent maintenance or repair works will need to be discussed with a licenced bat worker to

ensure that works can be undertaken without any impact to bats.

The fields to the south of the farmhouse complex would be developed for residential housing for up to

140 dwellings. As part of the development, a number of boundary hedges and mature trees would be

retained. In addition, landscaping will include a ‘Linear Park’ through much of the site and linking with

a new proposed balancing pond close to the existing stream valley corridor. These proposals would

retain areas of foraging on site and maintain commute routes and links to the offsite foraging areas

including Bramshall Road Park, the stream valley and open countryside to the west and south.

Responsibility for the maintenance of these habitat features is to be confirmed in due course.

D2 Population Monitoring

A monitoring scheme will be carried out following the redevelopment of the main farmhouse building

and installation of the bat roost units. This will include the main farmhouse and associated buildings

and the bat boxes, with a monitoring visit during years 1 and 3 following main works.

The effectiveness of the mitigation strategy will be reviewed in May – August to ensure that bats are

actively using the site and mitigation designed. This monitoring survey will ensure that the measures

taken are sufficient to maintain the bat species at a favourable conservation status on the site.

The May-August survey will include a nocturnal activity survey which will be undertaken during

suitable weather conditions for bats to be active within (not below 8oC or in precipitation). The

nocturnal activity survey will be undertaken to determine whether the bat population is still being

maintained with the local area. These works will be undertaken by suitably qualified ecologists.

Standard bat surveying equipment i.e. bat detectors and recording equipment will be used.

D3 Mechanisms for Ensuring Delivery

A licensed bat worker will oversee all bat works. The client will commission all bat works relating to

the development scheme prior to the bat roosts being removed. This will include commissioning all

bat works including monitoring. The monitoring reports, if required, can be supplied to Natural

England.



E LAND OWNERSHIP

E1 Mitigation Site Ownerships

The site will be owned by Gleeson Strategic Land and all mitigation falls within the survey boundaries

detailed within these documents.

E.1.1 I confirm that the relevant landowner consent has been granted to accept bats into roosts

onto land outside the applicant’s ownership – Not Applicable.

E.1.2 I confirm that landownership consent has been granted to allow the creation of the proposed

habitat compensation on land outside the applicant’s ownership – Not Applicable.

E.1.3 I confirm that consent has been granted by the relevant landowner for monitoring and

maintenance on land outside the applicant’s ownership – Not Applicable.



F TIMETABLE OF WORKS

As the proposed development is submitted for outline planning permission only, a detailed work

schedule is not provided. The following key issues will however, be incorporated into the schedule:

• A Natural England development licence must be obtained before any work is undertaken which

may impact the roosts.

• The timetable of works will ensure that bat roosting locations are available at all times.

• Prior to the exclusion of bats from the bat roosts within the main farmhouse building, nine bat

boxes will be installed on three trees, located close to the east boundary and along the river

course in the south of the site.

• There are no conditions relating to the timing of works on known roosts when they are utilised

by an individual or low number of common bats.

• Prior to the exclusion works being undertaken, a pre-work emergence (subject to works

commencing within the active season) and daytime survey will be completed, to ensure that the

bat status of the roost has not altered.

• A monitoring scheme will be carried out of the main farmhouse and associated buildings and

the bat boxes, with a monitoring visit during years 1 and 3 following main works.



MIDDLEMARCH ENVIRONMENTAL LTD

QUALITY ASSURANCE

ROYCROFT FARM, UTTOXETER STAFFORDSHIRE


A Report to Gleeson Strategic Land

Report number: RT-MME-115263-02

Revision Number: 00

Description: Final

Date: September 2013

Checked:

Nick Steggall Principal Technical Ecological Consultant

Approved:

Dr Philip Fermor Managing Director


roycroft farm, uttoxeter ... - eaststaffsbc.gov.uk application/624000/6244… · bat mitigation...

Documents