METHOD STATEMENT
Protected species survey (Bats)
Property: Rushwinds, Boreley Lane, Ombersley
Project No. and Title: B1141 – 2 (Method Statement )
Commissioned by: Mark Phillips, Rushwinds, Boreley Lane, Ombersley, Worcestershire, WR9 0HW
Prepared by: David Fisher (EED), revised by Mr M Phillips as agreed with Suzanne Hiscock
Date of issue: 31 July 2012
Status: Final
Version: 02
Revisions: 1
________________________________________
earthworks environmental design
9 Poorsland Barn, Slaidburn, Lancashire. BB7 3AE
earthworksuk@yahoo.co.uk
01200 446859
________________________________________
Page 1 of 5
A. Executive summary
The local planning authority (Wychavon District Council) has requested a METHOD STATEMENT prior
to demolition works at Rushwinds, Ombersley. An initial scoping survey, evening emergence and dawn
re-entry / swarming survey was undertaken in August 2011 by Crawshaw Environmental and the
survey was submitted with a planning application outlining the demolition of an existing house prior to
the proposed rebuild.
The initial survey effort identified the presence of one soprano pipistrelle and noted the significant
potential of the property to support crevice-roosting bats. Subsequently, Wychavon District Council
whilst satisfied with the original survey effort, requested additional information regarding mitigation and
compensation following a response from Susanne Hiscock (Landscape and Natural Heritage Officer).
Wychaven District Council has also requested a detailed Method Statement (July 2012) requiring a
detailed working methodology with appropriate timing considerations to ensure that the proposed
demolition works are carried out in such a way as to avoid or significantly reduce the impact of the
operations on protected species.
The attached method statement requires the work to be carried with due care and attention to the safe
removal of all external materials where roosting or resting bats may be found; this requires removal of
timber claddings, fascias and soffits by hand during the autumn period (September to October) as
recommended by Natural England.
Where there is a high risk of exposure of roosting bats it is normally ‘good practice’ to require the
demolition works to be supervised by an ecologist / consultant; in this particular instance where there is
only low to moderate risk of disturbing roosting bats it is recommended that only the removal of the
dormers and the west gable-end cladding needs to be supervised. In all areas it is proposed that
mitigation measures are followed as directed and the works proceed with due care and vigilance for the
potential presence of roosting bats and / or accumulations of bat droppings.
In the unlikely situation that roosting bats are exposed or likely to be disturbed, the standard caveats
apply - ie. stop all work in that area of the building immediately, cover any exposed bats and seek
further advice from a qualified person / consultant (or call the BCT helpline) before proceeding.
D. Fisher (EED) 1 August 2012
Page 2 of 5
B introduction
The proposed demolition of the building will require removal of external features such as timber
cladding, fascia boards, soffits and roofing materials where there is a risk of exposing roosting bats.
Although only a solitary bat was seen entering an area of the roof at the rear of the building, there
remains a low to moderate risk of other solitary bats being exposed and disturbed during the proposed
works. It is very unlikely however that the building has been used as nursery site, transitional roost or
place of hibernation.
A single bat species has been identified: Soprano pipistrelle (P. pygmaeus).
The following methodology has been requested by the client (Mark Phillips) in response to a request
from Wychavon District Council for a Method Statement prior to demolishing the building. It is important
to note the following document has been prepared at short notice and therefore does not conform to
the standard format for a NE Method Statement (WML A13.2). Revisions have subsequently been
made following advice given by Suzanne Hiscock, Wychavon District Council on 14 September 2012.
The following methodology is based on the Protected Species Survey (Project N. B1141) as submitted
to Watson Stirrup Associates Ltd.on 24 April 2012 (Earthworks Environmental Design) in which detailed
mitigation recommendations were given in addition to recommended compensatory works (NB. These
recommendations are not repeated in the following document).
METHOD STATEMENT: RUSHWINDS, Boreley lane, Ombersley
Action:
Method:
Notes:
1. Timing of the works
Works should not proceed before the beginning of September 2012
BMG
p42 table 8.1
The majority of bat roosts within buildings are used on seasonally.
Natural England advises optimum season / period for carrying out the
works is 1 September to 1 May (allowing some variation between species.
2. Temporary bat box in situ
It is recommended that a purpose built bat box is erected within the
boundary of the site (on nearby trees) to house ant bats that may be
accidentally disturbed or exposed during the works. It is important to note
that any exposed bats should be carefully covered up preventing them to
fly in daylight.
In the event of a bat being found, contractors should avoid handling the
bat and seek advice immediately. (refer to mitigation notes in previous
document).
3. Removal of timber fascias
and soffits / wall claddings
All boards to be carefully removed by hand and lifted off carefully to avoid
crushing resting bats; awareness at all times for the presence of
accumulations of bat droppings, corpses or live bats. If any live bats are
found, stop work in that area immediately and seek advice.
Wall claddings and timber boarding, including removal of timber battens
should be undertaken by hand also.
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4. Removal of roof materials
As above, all verge tiles and ridge tiles should be very carefully lifted by
hand and roofing felts and battens lifted carefully to avoid crushing
roosting bats. After removal check all working areas for the unexpected
presence of exposed bats.
NB. In very cool weather or after cold nights, resting bats mat be in a
torpid state and therefore unable to move / or escape quickly. In an
emergency, a torpid bat can move out of harms way but is unable to fly fo
several minutes.
5. Removal of dormers
These are likely to be higher risk structures and therefore additional care
is required; roosting bats are most likely to occur between wavy-edge
boards and the felt / battens beneath or between the window frames and
the surrounding boards. The dormers should be removed under
supervision by a licensed bat worker.
Bats are also found beneath bitumastic felts and any roofing felt above
these windows should be peeled of carefully in case bats are present.
All dormer windows (front and rear) may be attractive to roosting bats.
6. West gable end - cladding
The wavy-edge boards on the gable end wall are also higher risk and
these should be removed by hand and lifted off singly to avoid crushing
resting bats; it is also important to check the ground directly beneath the
boards in case a torpid bat has been displaced and fallen to the ground.
The cladding/wavy edge boards on the west gable-end should be
removed under supervision by a licensed bat worker.
7. Removal of lead flashings
As above, remove with care to prevent crushing / exposure.
8. Site Contractors.
All site contractors must be made aware of the potential risk of exposing
roosting bats at this site. The supervising ecologist shall give any
contractors at the site instruction on how the removal of materials is best
carried out. This shall be done by means of a tool box talk to contractors
working on site.
In addition a copy of the Method Statement should be made available to
the demolition contractor in advance of ant work being carried out.
9. Compliance
Although a development licence is not required in this case, the onus is
with the developer to ensure that no offence will be committed if the
development goes ahead. The existence of a method Statement helps to
establish a defence against prosecution for intentional (WCA), deliberate
(Habitat Regs.) or reckless (WCA) disturbance of bats or damage to
roosts.
A Method Statements is normally required by the local planning authority
to ensure that procedures are in place before the development works are
carried out. It is the responsibility of the LPA to ensure that the proposed
works would not result in breaches of the Conservation (Habitat regs.)
BMG, section
8.3 p.44.
(WCA)
Wildlife
and
Countryside
Act.
(Habitat Regs.)
(Natural
Habitats
&c.)
Regulations
(1994)
(as
amended
2010).
Page 4 of 5
C Summary
The overall purpose of the Method Statement is to ensure that bats and their roosts are fully protected
to ensure the ‘favourable conservation status of the species’.
The Method statement is designed to minimise or remove any potential disturbance to roosting bats;
appropriate timing of the works is very important. Works carried out in late summer and autumn will
ensure that young bats are able to fly and forage independently and there is no risk to breeding bats or
pregnant females / flightless pups.
Autumn is an important time for bats as they prepare for winter hibernation and at this time of year bats
and displaced bats can normally find alternative sites to roost and food is generally available.
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