Bat Survey Report
Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire
Date: June 2012
Report written and checked by Sheaf Ecology Ltd
Sheaf Ecology Ltd. Registered Office: 54 Carter Knowle Rd, Sheffield, S7 2DX Email: [email protected], Web: www.sheafecology.co.uk, Telephone: 07828 582985. Registered in: England, No. 7117260, VAT No: 984 2493 80.
Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
CONTENTS
1.0 Non-Technical Summary ...... 3 2.0 Introduction ...... 4 3.0 Relevant legislation, policy and status ...... 6 4.0 Bat Biology ...... 8 5.0 Methodology ...... 9 6.0 Results and assessment ...... 11 7.0 Conclusions ...... 13
Bibliography ...... 14
Appendix A - Site plans and survey results ...... 15 Appendix B - Site Photographs ...... 18
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
1.0 Non-Technical Summary
1.1 Sheaf Ecology Ltd were commissioned to conduct a bat survey at Alsop Hall. This was due to the known presence of this protected species in one part of the hall and to assess if the proposals for some development/refurbishment work would impact this species or that area also be used by bats. The survey work was conducted through an initial bat potential inspection in February 2012 followed by a second inspection survey in May 2012 including a nocturnal evening emergence survey.
1.2 A thorough internal and external inspection of the building was conducted, looking for any evidence of bat use on the initial visit in February. An unknown species of bat was known to be roosting within the roof of the main house and evidence of use was found in the roof- space. The part of the building proposed for works was carefully inspected and no evidence of bat use was found. Additionally this part of the building, the boiler room, was found to be highly unsuitable for bats being located at and beneath ground level, having a very strong smell of fuel and fumes and there being no possible roost areas present. As bats were known to be using the main house a precautionary nocturnal evening emergence survey was recommended and conducted to confirm on the initial assessment survey.
1.3 The emergence survey was carried out using appropriate surveyors and followed standard methodology. Bats were observed emerging close to the known roost area on the southern side of the main house with a total of 72 common pipistrelle being recorded.
1.4 The proposed area for the works, the boiler room, is located on the northern side of the hall and there was no evidence of any bat use and no bats were recorded exiting this part of the building. The boiler room offers no potential for bats to be using it and it is located some distance from the known roost in the main house therefore the proposed development works will not have any impact on the bats and no mitigation measures will be required.
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Background and aims 2.1.1 As the building offers potential for bats to be roosting within and an unknown species of bat was known to be using the upper southern side, a survey and assessment of bat use and any potential impacts as part of a planning application for development works was required. Local Planning Authorities should discharge their legal duty under regulation 9(5) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and ‘have regard to the requirements of the Habitats Directive’ in exercising its functions. It is therefore necessary for planning applications to include surveys where it is deemed that there is a possibility of offences against the Habitats Directive resulting from the development.
2.1.2 The survey of Alsop Hall was carried out by experienced ecologists, using recommended methodology and at an optimal time of year in order to provide valid outcomes upon which assessments can be made.
2.1.3 The initial inspection survey was conducted on Tuesday 7th February 2012 and comprised an external and internal survey of the boiler room using standard methodologies to identify any signs of use of the building by bats. Additionally the known bat roost area was inspected and other parts of the roof structure. The aims of the survey were to:
Conduct an internal and external inspection looking for any evidence of bat use or potential for roosting.
To provide recommendations for any further work or mitigation if necessary.
2.1.4 Following the initial survey, recommendations were made for a follow up nocturnal evening emergence survey. A second visit was conducted on Wednesday 30th May 2012. The aims of this survey were to:
To re-inspect the parts of the building previously examined and to conduct a nocturnal evening emergence survey on the boiler room and also on the part of the building known to support bats.
Dependant on the findings of the 2nd visit, to make recommendations for further work or draw conclusions on the use of the building by bats.
2.2 Site description and context 2.2.1 Alsop Hall is located within a rural setting in the small village of Alsop en le Dale (Grid Ref: SK15953 55190). The hall is believed to have been initially constructed in the 15th/16th century and has been extended and modified over time resulting in a large multi-level house with numerous hipped/ridged roof sections. The immediate grounds to the Hall are
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
landscaped predominately of managed amenity grassland with scattered mature trees, hedges and shrub beds.
2.2.2 The wider area is that of a very rural nature. To the immediate east and south-east are two farms and the vast majority of the land around the village is used for pasture. Scattered throughout the wider area are numerous hedge-lined roads, small copses and occasional larger woodland blocks and plantations such as Pinelow plantation approximately 500m to the north-west.
2.2.3 Much of the wider area (although not Alsop Hall), and especially the valley around the river Dove 1,300m to the west has numerous nature conservation designations including ancient and semi-natural woodlands, the Dovedale National Nature Reserve, the Peak District Dales Special Areas of Conservation, Dove Valley and Biggin Dale Site of Special Scientific Interest, and areas of important lowland dry acid, calcareous grassland and meadows.
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
3.0 Relevant legislation, policy and status
3.1 Legislation
All British bats are listed under Annex IV of the EC Directive 92/43/EEC ‘The Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora’, the Habitats Directive. They are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (which transpose the EU Habitats Directive into UK law) as ‘European Protected Species’.
It is illegal under this regulation to: -
deliberately capture or kill a wild animal of a European protected species; deliberately disturb any such animal; damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal.
Bats are also afforded full legal protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and subsequent amendments i.e. Countryside and Rights of Way (Crow) Act 2000. Under the provisions of Section 9 it is an offence for anyone without a licence to:
intentionally kill, injure or take a species of bat; recklessly or intentionally damage or obstruct access to, or destroy any place of shelter, or protection, or disturb any animal, whilst they are occupying such a place of shelter or protection; possess or control any live or dead specimen or anything derived from a bat.
Once a bat roost is confirmed the above legislation and regulations apply whether bats are physically present or not.
Natural England is the government body responsible for Nature Conservation and Protection in England. In circumstances where best practice guidance either cannot be followed or is not applicable, licences can be obtained to allow persons to carry out activities that would otherwise be prohibited, without committing an offence. Natural England has powers to grant licences in England for the following purposes:
preserving public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of overriding public interest; preventing the spread of disease; preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or any other form of property or to fisheries; science or education, conservation, ringing or marking; and possession of species or derivatives.
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
3.2 The high conservation status of bats is primarily due to their declining population both in the UK and throughout Europe. The loss of feeding areas, modern agricultural and forestry practices, loss of roost sites and remedial timber treatment have all contributed to the decline in bat populations (English Nature, 2003). Where these negative factors occur, characteristics such as such as bat physiology, reproductive strategies, hibernation requirements and lifecycles, increase these species overall vulnerability to change.
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
4.0 Bat Biology 4.1 The 17 species of bat found in the UK use a wide variety of roosts and habitats. Caves, rock faces and trees provide natural roost sites but a wide variety of buildings from large stone structures to modern bungalows also provide wide ranging roost options. As all UK bats are insectivorous, habitats that support high numbers of flying and non-flying insects are favoured as forging areas. Feeding patterns of bats are typically crepuscular meaning they will concentrate their feeding in the three hours following sunset and again before dawn. This corresponds to intensity of insect activity. Bats in northern Europe, all of which are dependent upon insect prey, hibernate during the winter when prey species are in short supply. Reproductive cycles are also closely tied to seasonal climate and food resources.
4.2 Over the course of a year, bat activity relates to climatic factors and subsequently the availability of insect prey. The Bat Conservation Trust describes it as follows:
January-March: insect prey is scarce and bats will hibernate alone or in small groups April-May: Insects are more plentiful and bats will become active. They may become torpid in bad weather. Females will start to form groups and will roost in several sites August-September: Mothers leave roost before young. Bats mate and build up fat for the winter October- December: Bats search for potential hibernacula. They become torpid for longer periods then hibernate. (Bat Conservation Trust) 4.3 Bats require different types of roosts throughout the year to fulfil their requirements as weather and food availability changes. Maternity roosts need to be a stable warm temperature to ensure the young maintain body temperature at a vulnerable time. Hibernation periods require low temperature roosts to enable bats in torpor to retain energy. There are several roosts that could be occupied over a year:
Hibernacula-roosts which are used throughout the winter hibernation period. These need to be dry and free from draught. They must be cold with no significant temperature fluctuations to ensure that torpor is maintained and energy loss is minimised. Daytime summer roosts-temporary secluded sites where individuals or small numbers of bats rest prior to the next feeding opportunity. Maternity roosts- warm sites where pregnant females gather. Young are born and raised. A good maternity roost is close to prime feeding habitat to allow nursing females to feed well and return to feed young. Temporary night roosts- close to prime feeding areas and used when weather may prevent feeding for 2-3 days. Allows for shelter away from a main roost. Mating roosts- established by males from late summer, close to good foraging sites to attract females and offering display or ‘lekking’ opportunities.
4.4 Roosts that may have been used over many years can rapidly be made unsuitable by: building works, external lighting, loss of flight lines and loss or degradation of foraging habitat.
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
5.0 Methodology
5.1 Building internal and external inspection
5.1.1 The internal and external inspection followed standard methods for inspection surveys for bats, this included searching for any signs of residency or use such as:
Droppings on walls, windowsills and other surfaces; Scratch marks and staining on beams, potential exit/entrance holes; Presence or otherwise of spiders webs in areas of roost potential; Wing fragments of moths and butterflies beneath beams.
5.1.2 A high powered torch was used to inspect the structures from both the inside and outside and a careful inspection of any possible roost sites was then undertaken looking for any signs of bat use such as droppings and potential and actual roost-sites.
5.1.3 The survey followed guidelines as recommended by the Bat Conservation Trust (2012). Methods included:
Use of experienced surveyors on surveys who are members of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) and follow species specific survey guidelines and the IEEM code for professional conduct for ecological work. Surveyors also hold their own personal Natural England bat licences for bat work. Torches were used carefully to identify any possible roosts exits/entrances and if necessary a boroscope was used to carefully examine any cavities within the walls or window-frames. A risk assessment was carried out and suitable PPE was worn by the surveyors.
5.1.4 The initial internal/external inspection was conducted on Tuesday 7th February 2012 by experienced and qualified Sheaf Ecology surveyor Martin Derbyshire BSc MSc AIEEM (NE licence number 20120377) a member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) and follows species specific survey guidelines and the IEEM code for professional conduct for ecological work.
5.2 Nocturnal evening emergence survey
5.2.1 Following the initial visit a second internal / external assessment was conducted followed by a nocturnal dusk emergence survey on Wednesday 30th May 2012 by Martin Derbyshire BSc MSc AIEEM (NE licence number 20120377) and Martin Nowacki BA MSc MIEEM (NE licence number 20120351). Both surveyors are also committee members for South Yorkshire Bat Group and Natural England volunteer bat wardens. The purpose of the survey was to determine:
If bats are present within the buildings subject to the survey What species of bat are present
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
The number of bats present What type of roost is present (summer, maternity etc) To determine the potential impact of the proposed works on bats recorded on-site
The surveys followed guidelines as recommended by the Bat Conservation Trust (2012). Methods included:
The emergence survey was conducted by experienced and licenced bat ecologist who is a member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) and follows species specific survey guidelines and the IEEM code for professional conduct for ecological work. On all survey occasions Bat Box Duet bat detectors were used to detect emerging bats and bat activity on the wider site. Bat calls were digitally recorded for further analysis (if necessary) Torches were used carefully to identify any possible roosts exits/entrances. In-flight activity was noted and recorded.
5.3 Constraints
5.3.1 All parts of the buildings subject to potential works were accessible to the surveyors. The emergence survey was conducted within the recommended period. There were, therefore no constraints in any of the surveys.
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
6.0 Results and assessment
6.1 Internal/External Building Inspection 6.1.1 The inspection of Alsop Hall was carried out according to best practice although the focus of the inspection was on the boiler room which is the part of the hall proposed for works. As bats had been noted using the hall in the past an inspection and assessment was also made of the upper parts of the main house which will be unaffected by the proposed works.
6.1.2 The boiler room is set beneath ground level with a sloping tiled roof which completes almost at ground level (See site photographs – Appendix B). The roof is of a tiled construction with lead flashing to the main house. The roof is very well sealed and tight with very few gaps in the flashing (See Figures 3 & 4). Internally the room is split into storage and the boiler room. The ceiling is well sealed and there are no gaps. The room has a strong smell of heating fuel throughout. The flue to the boiler is set within the chimney at the corner of the roof. The chimney is in a very good state of repair with the pointing being very tight and there being no gaps or fissures in any of the structure.
6.1.3 The rest of the house appears on initial inspection to be quite suitable for bats having a range of different roofs and aspects. It was reported that an unknown species of bat was thought to be roosting in the roof-space on the southern side (See Figures 1 & 2). The initial inspection in February confirmed that bats had been using this space due to numerous deposits of droppings being found mainly around the window at the southern end although no bats were found during the inspection on this visit. The situation remained the same in the follow-up inspection in May.
6.2 Nocturnal evening emergence survey 6.2.1 Even though the boiler house offers a very poor roost site, the known presence of bats required that an activity survey was needed to monitor the use of the house by bats. The dusk emergence survey was carried out on the 30th May 2012 using two surveyors as specified above.
6.2.2 The temperature was 180C at the start of the survey and 150C at completion. Weather conditions were warm and humid although there was light rain during a part of the survey which was not sufficient to affect the results. Sunset was at 21:18 and the survey was carried out from 30 minutes before sunset until 1 hour and 30 minutes after sunset.
6.2.3 At 21:30 the first bat was seen exiting the building. It was a common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and was noted flying out from under the barge boards/soffits of the building as showing in Figure 1 (Appendix A). Over the next 45 minutes bats continued to exit this part of the house with the majority flying in a westerly direction towards Pinelow plantation/River Dove and a far smaller number heading east towards Parwich. At 21:55 a noctule bat was recorded flying over the site commuting in an easterly direction. In total 72
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
common pipistrelles were recorded leaving the building in which was most likely a maternity roost.
6.2.4 No bats were observed exiting any parts of the roof structure or chimney in and around the boiler house.
6.2.5 The bats roosting at Alsop Hall are within the roof structure on the southern side. The proposals for the removal of the boiler room and conversion to a garden room are all based at the northern side of the house. There is no connectivity between the existing bat roost and the proposed works areas. The internal/external inspections find that the boiler room is a very poor potential roost site having a tight, well sealed external roof structure and well sealed internal plastering with a very well maintained chimney. The nocturnal activity survey further confirms that bats are not using this part of the building.
6.2.6 The proposal for the works will have no impact upon the existing bat roost and therefore no mitigation will be required.
Recordings of protected species are valid at the time of survey. There is the possibility that species not recorded in surveys may at sometime afterwards, occupy, utilise or colonise the site.
N.B. As per current best practice advice in the sharing of biological records, unless instructed otherwise Sheaf Ecology will pass on all findings of any protected species to the appropriate Local Biological Records Centre.
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
7.0 Conclusions
7.1 Prior to the submission of any planning application for works at Alsop Hall, a protected species survey was required to ensure that EU and UK legislation was not breached by the LPA or the developer. To that end a bat survey was carried out by experienced bat ecologists.
7.2 No previous survey work had been carried out on the building although it was reported that an unknown species of bat was thought to be roosting in the roof space of a part of the house on the southern side.
7.3 During the external and internal building survey no evidence of use by bats was found in and around the boiler room. Bat use was noted in the main part of the house as previously identified.
7.4 Due to the presence of bats in the house being confirmed a nocturnal activity survey was conducted to ensure that no bats were using the part of the house planned for works. Internal/external inspection found no evidence of use as did the activity survey. Bats were recorded exiting around the known roost area.
7.5 As the works are proposed on a part of the building that is almost at and below ground level and offers very poor roosting potential with no evidence of any use by bats there will be no impact on the bats using the main house and no mitigation will be required.
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
Bibliography
Hundt, L (2012) Bat Surveys: Good Practice Guidelines, 2nd edition. Bat Conservation Trust
Mitchell-Jones, A.J (2004) Bat Mitigation Guidelines, English Nature, Peterborough.
Mitchell-Jones, A.J & McLeish, A.P (2004) Bat Workers Manual, JNCC, Peterborough.
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
Appendix A – Site plans and survey results
Showing the rear of Alsop Hall (North) - Boiler room highlighted in red Source: Adapted from plans by Peter Knowles Architect
Showing roof plan of Alsop Hall. Boiler room highlighted in red Source: Adapted from plans by Peter Knowles Architect
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
Showing rear of Alsop Hall (North) with proposed plans. Boiler room / store removed and new garden room created. Source: Adapted from plans by Peter Knowles Architect
Showing roof plan of Alsop Hall with proposed plans. Boiler room / store removed and new garden room created. Source: Adapted from plans by Peter Knowles Architect
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
Bats exiting the roost
Bat droppings
Plan showing bat roost and activity from internal/external inspections and nocturnal activity survey Source: Adapted from plans by Peter Knowles Architect
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
Appendix B - Site Photographs
Figure 1: The southern side of Alsop Hall Figure 2: Inside the roof void with the bat showing the area where the bat droppings are droppings (red circle). Bats seen emerging from area with blue circle
Figure 3: Showing the boiler room (south) at Figure 4: Showing the very tight well sealed roof ground level (circled) of the boiler room
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Bat Survey, Alsop Hall, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire June 2012
Figure 5: Inside the boiler room showing well Figure 6: Inside the boiler room showing well sealed ceiling sealed ceiling
Figure 7: Showing the boiler room at the bottom centre and area where bats were seen emerging (circled)
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