Bats and Birds
All British Bat species are given special protection within England by their inclusion in Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats) regulations 1994 and Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Both modern and traditional buildings are utilised by bats and birds and these should be considered when developing any site.
All nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and others, including the barn owl, also have protection all year round under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Barns and outbuildings are most likely to be used by owls whereas swallows, house martins and swifts can nest on many buildings.
Surveys to establish the presence of bats and wild birds in existing buildings and to assess the likelihood of the building providing a suitable habitat for them must be undertaken by the proposing developer. The licensed surveyor should also include in a report recommendations for mitigating action to ensure the continued availability of suitable habitat for protected species. Normally, mitigation measures can be integrated with little difficulty.
The local planning authority cannot grant permission for development without being satisfied that protected species are being protected and that mitigating measures are in place. The planning authority will advise the developer of the action to be taken in this regard. The conversion of redundant buildings will always entail consideration of protected species. More information is available from Natural England, The Bat Conservation Trust and RSPB.
As well as taking precautions against harming bats while carrying out conversions, positive improvements and additions can be made to buildings to attract bats and provide roosting locations. These can be small changes such as adding bat bricks or spacer tiles allowing bats into loft spaces or under tiles, or larger changes to design incorporating a bat compartment in the loft. The Natural England Bat Mitigation Guidelines explain some of these ideas.
The Bat Conservation Trust has bat boxes for sale with other information about bats and their roosts.
Landscaping around developments can be beneficial for bats, for example planting links to surrounding hedges, burns and rivers that bats may follow and feed over. Ensure that trees are retained, especially older trees with splits and holes. Bat boxes can be placed on trees; best in groups of three on different sides of the tree.
Lighting can also be important; try installing outside lights with sensors and timers – as well as using less electricity they keep light disturbance to bats to a minimum.
