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 2 | 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. 3 | 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 4 | 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. 5 | 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. 6 | 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