Bat Survey of Barn at Former Hunt Kennels, Plummers Lane, Priddy Client Ms K Thorner Reference T1125.001 Issue One Date 5 October 2020 S N L U T I O O S L A Crossman Associates R Ecological Consultants U Fire Engine House Oakhill, Bath BA3 5BJ 01761 233414 crossman [email protected] A S S O C I A T E S N A T www.crossmanassociates.co.uk Non-technical Summary Background In September 2020, Crossman Associates was commissioned by Ms K Thorner to undertake a bat and bird survey of a simple rectangular shaped steel constructed hay barn at the former Priddy Hunt Kennels, Plummers Lane, Priddy, Somerset, BA5 3DB. Development proposals involve the conversion of the barn into a residential dwelling. Methodology The scoping survey was undertaken by Fairbrass Knowles, a fully licensed bat worker and experienced ecologist. The building was inspected both externally and internally for any evidence of bat / bird presence, such as droppings, food remains, staining or actual bats / birds. Results The barn consists of an older style and moderate sized steel fabricated and sheet clad barn that provides one large an open void. While the barn is located within a rural location it’s construction provides a well-lit and draughty interior that overall provides bats with no significant roosting suitability and the barn is assessed as providing bats with Negligible Roosting Suitability No current bird nesting activity was noted in association with any aspect of the building. Recommendations It is recommended that the following be undertaken as part of the development; • Precautionary approach to development in relation to bats and birds • Exterior lighting must take into account the presence of foraging bats and nocturnal wildlife • Ecological enhancements to include integrally fitted bat and bird boxes. Hay Barn @ Priddy, Plummers lane, Somerset crossman ASSOCIATES Contents NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY 1 1. BACKGROUND 3 SITE DESCRIPTION 3 LEGISLATION 4 2. METHODOLOGY 5 DESKTOP STUDY 5 3. RESULTS 7 DESKTOP STUDY 7 FIELD SURVEY 9 EVALUATION 13 4. RECOMMENDATIONS 14 BATS 14 ECOLOGICAL ENHANCEMENTS 15 5. LIMITATIONS 18 6. REFERENCES 19 2 Hay Barn @ Priddy, Plummers lane, Somerset crossman ASSOCIATES 1. Background 1.1. In September 2020, Crossman Associates was commissioned by Ms K Thorner to undertake a bat scoping survey of an older style steel hay barn located at the former Priddy Hunt Kennels, Plummers Lane, Priddy, BA5 3DB ; site Ordnance Survey grid reference ST 5369 5255. 1.2. Figure 1, under Appendix III provides a site location of the site. 1.3. Development proposals involve the conversion of the barn into a residential dwelling. 1.4. The objectives of the survey were to: • Make an assessment of the likely presence or absence of bats • Identify any legislative or planning policy constraints relevant to the site • Determine the need for further surveys, compensation or mitigation Site Description 1.5. The barn consists of an older style single storey rectangular shaped barn constructed from a steel frame with corrugated sheets cladding the roof and sides. The barn measures approximately 18 m x 6 m. The barn is generally sound but due to age is a little tatty, but remains in use. 1.6. The barn is located at the northern end of a former farmyard setting that lies adjacent to the north side of Plummers Lane and in a rural and sparsely populated area. Immediate surroundings to the barn include to the north a modern barn that is currently undergoing conversion into a dwelling, to the east lie grazed fields, one of which contains the remains of a prehistoric stone circle. To the west a small block of mature deciduous woodland and to the south a range of buildings that 3 Hay Barn @ Priddy, Plummers lane, Somerset crossman ASSOCIATES include a large period residential dwelling and smaller dwellings which are former buildings associated with the Priddy Hunt Kennels which formerly used the site. 1.7. The wider landscape is characterised by expanses of farmland largely consisting of small to medium sized fields of pastureland divided by networks of both managed and un-managed mature hedgerows. To the north-west of the site the farmland become less intensively managed and is characterised by extensive open areas covered by significant areas of scrub; this area also serves as a military training ground. Legislation 1.8. In the UK all species of bats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2017. Under this legislation it is a strict liability offence to injure or destroy a bat or to disturb damage or destroy the resting place of a bat. Under this legislation the UK is obliged to fully take into account bats within the planning process and the level of bat activity on-site must be fully assessed prior to the assessment the planning application. 1.9. In Britain all wild birds are granted legal protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act ((1981) (as amended)). This legislation protects the birds, their eggs and nests whilst being built or in use. 4 Hay Barn @ Priddy, Plummers lane, Somerset crossman ASSOCIATES 2. Methodology Desktop Study Data search 2.1. The MAGIC website was accessed to gain information on any statutory site designations within 4 km of the site that are designated for bats. National Planning Policy 2.2. National Planning Policy has been reviewed for policies that relate to nature conservation relevant to the site. Field Survey Bat scoping survey 2.3. The building was methodically inspected internally and externally for any evidence of roosting bats, including actual bats, droppings, urine staining and evidence of feeding activity such as discarded insect wings and cases. 2.4. The building was also assessed for its suitability to support roosting bats by considering several factors including whether bats can access internal and external voids within the building and whether these voids provide adequate protection and shelter for roosting bats. If the building is not confirmed as a roost, it is assessed from High to Negligible Suitability as follows; • High Suitability – many roosting opportunities. Buildings tend to be old, large and rural 5 Hay Barn @ Priddy, Plummers lane, Somerset crossman ASSOCIATES • Moderate Suitability – some roosting opportunities. Building tend to be old, rural with some recent maintenance • Low Suitability – few roosting opportunities. Buildings tend to be modern, urban and well maintained • Negligible Suitability – insignificant roosting opportunities. Buildings tend to be small, modern, urban and very well maintained. Birds 2.5. The building was also inspected for the presence of birds including house sparrow Passer domesticus. The building was checked for field signs including nesting material, accumulations of droppings and/or pellets. 6 Hay Barn @ Priddy, Plummers lane, Somerset crossman ASSOCIATES 3. Results Desktop Study Data Search 3.1. The MAGIC website informed that there are three statutory sites within 4 km of the site that are designated for bats. • Ebbor Gorge is located approximately 3.9 km to the south and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and also falls under Mendip Woodlands Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The areas consist of two valleys; Hope Valley and Ebbor Gorge and contain a diverse and rich fauna and flora of national and international importance. The site is also a known hibernation site for both greater horseshoe Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros within the cave system. • Wookey Hole cave system Site of Special Scientific Interest SSSIlies approximately 3.8 km to the south of the site. The area is nationally significant site for hibernating greater and lesser horseshoe bats. The site is also a component of the Mendip and North Somerset bats Special Area of Conservation (SAC). • The Cheddar Complex; Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site has a range of habitats that include semi-natural broad-leaved woodland, unimproved grassland and calcareous dwarf shrub heath. The area supports a range of bat species including both greater and lesser horseshoe bats. 3.2. The current proposals to convert a single barn into a dwelling are not considered to adversely affect bat populations associated with the above designated sites. 7 Hay Barn @ Priddy, Plummers lane, Somerset crossman ASSOCIATES Planning Policy 3.3. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) contains sections of relevance to nature conservation that include: • Paragraph 174: To protect and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity, plans should: a) Identify, map and safeguard components of local wildlife-rich habitats and wider ecological networks, including the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity; wildlife corridors and stepping stones that connect them; and areas identified by national and local partnerships for habitat management, enhancement, restoration or creation; b) and promote the conservation, restoration and enhancement of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species; and identify and pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gains for biodiversity. • Paragraph 175: When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should apply the following principles: a) if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately