Ascerta Landscape, Arboricultural & Ecological Solutions for the Built Environment Bat Survey Hermitage Green Lane, Winwick, Warrington, WA2 8SL November 2015 Revision Date Description Ascerta Mere One, Mere Grange, Elton Head Road, St Helens, Merseyside WA9 5GG T: 0845 463 4404 F: 0845 463 4405 E: [email protected] www.landscapetreesecology.com P.597.15 Bat Survey of Reeves House Hermitage Green Lane, Winwick, Warrington, WA2 8SL For Mr & Mrs Roberts 2 November 2015 Field Work by Dr Rosalind King MCIEEM and Rachael Hamilton Document Author Rachael Hamilton Technical Review Dr Rosalind King QA Review & Approval Ciaran Power Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................. - 1 - 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................ - 2 - 2.0 Objectives .................................................................................................................. - 2 - 3.0 Relevant Legislation ................................................................................................. - 3 - 4.0 Survey Method ........................................................................................................... - 4 - 4.1 Survey Methods...................................................................................................... - 4 - 4.0 Survey Method (Continued) ...................................................................................... - 5 - 5.0 Survey Results and Evaluation .................................................................................. - 6 - 5.1 Site Description ...................................................................................................... - 6 - 5.2 Record Search ........................................................................................................ - 6 - 5.3 Internal/External Inspection ................................................................................... - 6 - 5.0 Survey Results and Evaluation (Continued) ............................................................ - 10 - 5.4 Bat Emergence Survey Results and Evaluation ................................................... - 11 - 5.0 Survey Results and Evaluation (Continued) ............................................................ - 12 - 6.0 Recommendations and Conclusions ........................................................................ - 13 - 7.0 References ................................................................................................................ - 15 - Appendix 1 Drawings P.597.15.01 (Bat Survey Results) and P.597.15.02 (Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Proposals). Appendix 2 Bat Survey Results Tables Appendix 3 Data Search Reports EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ascerta has been instructed by Mr and Mrs Roberts to carry out a bat survey at Hermitage Green Lane, Winwick, Warrington. The site was visited on 15th September 2015 by Dr Rosalind King MCIEEM and Rachael Hamilton, when a daytime bat roost potential assessment was undertaken of the interior and exterior of the residential dwelling. Dusk emergence surveys for bats were carried out on the 16th September and 21st September 2015. An inspection of the wooden soffits beneath roof tiles was carried out on 5th October. The inspection and survey followed guidelines set out by the Bat Conservation Trust. The loft provides suitable habitat for loft dwelling species such as brown-long eared bats. Gaps are also present under tiles and within the soffits to enable access to crevice dwelling species such as pipistrelle bats. The building was considered to have moderate potential to house a bat roost. However no signs of bats, including droppings, staining, scratching or actual bats was found during survey of the loft void and soffit boxes. No bats were recorded emerging from the building during the evening surveys. Therefore it is considered the building is not currently being used by bats as a roost. However, common pipistrelle use the site for foraging and may use the building as a roost in the future. Bird nests were recorded within the loft and the soffits. A hedgehog was recorded onsite during the bat surveys. It is considered that birds, bats and hedgehogs will not be harmed as a result of the proposals provided the recommendations detailed below are followed. These are made in order to satisfy current wildlife guidance and legislation including the NPPF and the Warrington Local Plan Core Strategy. Recommendations 1. Roofing works to be started by 28 February 2016. If this is not possible the gaps and loose tiles should be secured by this date to prevent bat and bird access prior to works commencing on the site; 2. If the bat and bird access points have not been sealed or works not commenced by 28 February 2016, update bat and breeding bird surveys may be required; 3. In order to compensate for loss of bird nesting habitat it is recommended that a house sparrow terrace be fitted to the south east aspect of the property and a bird box with a 32mm opening be fitted within the trees to the north of the property as marked on plan P.597.15.02; 4. One bat brick could be fitted on the south east facing elevation either within the existing building or on the extension as appropriate. In addition two bat tiles could be incorporated into the new roof to provide bat roost features; 5. In order to retain the value of the site for bats it is recommended that lighting levels do not exceed current levels; and 6. All existing rubble or wood piles should be checked for hedgehog prior to disposal. Future rubble or wood piles should be stored on pallets to discourage hedgehog access. To enhance the site for ecology, a hedgehog house could be placed within the hedgerow to the south east of the house (see plan P.597.15.02). - 1 - 1.0 Introduction Ascerta has been instructed by Mr and Mrs Roberts to carry out a bat survey at Reeves House, Hermitage Green Lane, Winwick, Warrington, WA2 8SL (OS Grid Ref: SJ 599 940). A daytime internal and external inspection of the building on site was carried out on 15th September 2015 by Dr Rosalind King MCIEEM and Rachael Hamilton. Dusk emergence surveys for bats were carried out on the 16th and 21st September 2015. An inspection of the area within the wooden soffits, beneath the roof tiles was carried out on 5th October. The inspection and survey followed guidelines set out by the Bat Conservation Trust (Hundt, 2012). This report presents the results of the surveys and includes recommendations for further actions where applicable in order to satisfy current wildlife legislation and in order to achieve our client’s objectives. 2.0 Objectives Our client’s objective is to extend the residential dwelling. Works to the roof are required as part of the development. Our objectives are as follows: Carry out an internal and external inspection of the buildings on site; Carry out an emergence / re-entry surveys for bats; Provide recommendations for mitigation measures where current legislation requires; Provide recommendations that seek to enhance the ecological value of the site where possible; and Provide recommendations to assist our clients in achieving their objectives whilst satisfying current wildlife legislation. - 2 - 3.0 Relevant Legislation The key UK legislation is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000) which consolidates and amends existing national legislation to implement the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) and Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (Birds Directive) in Great Britain. It is complemented by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, which implements Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (EC Habitats Directive). The Regulations provide for the designation and protection of 'European sites', and the protection of 'European protected species’. In England, all bats and their roosts are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Several species of bat are also highlighted as Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and within Cheshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). Under the current legislation, as summarised in the Bat Surveys Good Practice Guidelines - 2nd Edition (2012), it is a criminal offence to: “Deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat, deliberately disturb a bat, including in particular any disturbance which is likely: to impair bats’ ability to survive, to breed or reproduce, or to rear or nurture their young, or in the case of hibernating or migratory species, to impair their ability to hibernate or migrate, or to affect significantly the local distribution or abundance of the species to which they belong Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat Possess, control, transport, exchange or sell a bat or parts of a bat, alive or dead.” Breeding Birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act which make it an offence to: intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird or take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built; intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird; have in one's possession or control any wild bird, dead or alive, or any part of a wild bird (including eggs), which has been