Project: Timber Treatment at Staunton Harold Church in Leicestershire

Client: The National Trust

October 2005 - March 2009

Background

Timber treatment and the replacement of beams was proposed for Staunton Harold Church, close to the border between Leicestershire and Derbyshire. EMEC Ecology was contacted to carry out a bat survey prior to the works commencing.

Ecological Surveys Undertaken

EMEC Ecology carried out a daytime bat survey and an evening emergence survey in 2005. Bat droppings, characteristic of Natterer's, brown long-eared and pipistrelle bats, were recorded throughout the church and several bats were seen to emerge during the evening activity survey. Features suitable for hibernating bats were also found. A repeat survey was carried out in 2007 in order to gather further information.

A tawny owl was also seen roosting within the church and several bird nests were observed.

Mitigation

Due to the presence of several species of bats, it was recommended that a DEFRA licence (since replaced by Natural England EPS Licence) was required. EMEC Ecology applied for this licence on behalf of the client. A detailed mitigation strategy was designed in order to ensure legal compliance and to reduce the chances of harm to bats as well as ensuring a continual provision for bats on the site.

The works were proposed to be carried out over winter and were considered likely to result in only a temporary loss of features suitable for roosting bats as the structure of the church would remain the same following completion of the works. Additionally, the majority of the works would affect areas generally unsuitable for roosting or hibernating bats.

Specifically, recommendations for the site included;

• Maintenance of the gaps used by bats and the access points used by bats.
• Inspection of any features to be affected with an endoscope immediately prior to the works.
• If bats had been found during these inspections, works would have been delayed until the spring, when any features could be excluded.
• Timber treatment appropriate to bats was carried out.
• Additional roosting features were provided during the works and following completion of the works.

EMEC Ecology worked closely with the client in order to ensure there were no delays to the project and to ensure that the conditions of the EPS licence were met; this included a number of monitoring visits to the site.

Specific timing of the works was recommended in order to avoid harm to nesting birds. Although a tawny owl was seen roosting within the church, this was away from the area of works and no negative impacts to this species were anticipated.

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