Hendre Forion, Llanllyfni, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL54 6DH Protected Species Survey Planning Application No. TBA Green Man Ecology Ref GME379 Local Authority Gwynedd County Council Mrs M Jones Hendre Forion Llanllyfni Client Caernarfon Gwynedd LL54 6DH Mr Alun Jones Ap Thomas Cyf Unit 13b Llys Onnen Project Contact Parc Menai Bangor Gwynedd LL57 4DF OSGR SH 471 515 Surveyor Catharine Wüster BSc(Hons) PhD MCIEEM Bat Survey Licence No. 51058:OTH:CSAB:2013 Date of survey 4 June 2015 Date of report 18 June 2015 (v1.0) 25 November 2015 (2.1) Amended information Change of project contact 2 Mona View, Station Road, Llanfairfechan, Conwy, LL33 0AR Tel: 07525 399286 greenmanecology@icloud.com
CONTENTS SUMMARY 2 1 INTRODUCTION 3 1.1 Background 3 1.2 Proposed works 3 1.3 Aim of protected species survey 3 1.4 Summary of legislation and policy guidance affecting bats 4 1.5 Summary of legislation affecting birds 5 2 METHOD 5 2.1 Daylight inspection 5 2.2 Emergence survey 5 3 RESULTS 6 3.1 Daylight inspection 6 3.2 Results of emergence survey 6 3.3 Other protected species 6 3.4 Protected sites 6 4 ASSESSMENT 6 4.1 Conclusions 6 4.2 Actions (to be conditioned in planning) 7 5 MITIGATION METHOD (TO BE CONDITIONED IN PLANNING) 7 5.1 Reasonable avoidance measures - bats 7 5.2 Lighting 7 5.3 Habitat enhancement features 7 5.4 Future work affecting other structures on site 8 FIGURES Figure 1: Location of Hendre Forion, Llanllyfni (tip of red arrow) 3 Figure 2: Structures affected by the proposals 4 Figure 3: Low Profile WoodStone bat box 7 Figure 4: Schwegler 1FD bat box for trees 8 TABLES Table 1: Survey conditions 6 Table 2: Results of bat emergence survey 6 i
SUMMARY Site Hendre Forion, Llanllyfni, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL54 6DH Location (OSGR) SH 471 515 Surveyors Catharine Wüster BSc(Hons) PhD MCIEEM Proposed works Replacement of existing dwelling and repairs/conversion of attached barn. Two-storey rendered stone house with slate roof and dormer windows; attached single-storey stone barn to the north elevation with unlined slate Structure(s) affected roof, slates backed with torching. Extensions to rear of building; also rendered with slate roofs except for one with collapsed corrugated asbestos cement roof. Type of survey Emergence Conditions of survey Suitable for bat activity Emergence survey on 4 June 2015. Existing structures have potential for bats under slates and in cracks. Bats can also access the inside of the adjacent barn. Surrounding habitat highly suitable for bats. No signs of bats inside house. No signs of bats inside barn but active blackbird nest present. Results Other outbuildings on site also suitable for wildlife; swallows nesting in stables (not affected by the proposals). Soprano pipistrelle and Common pipistrelle arrived on site from the north; at least 8 or more bats passed in close succession, following the treeline from the north; three or four bats foraged around site for duration; Myotis heard towards end of survey. No bats seen to emerge from structure. Survey conclusion Mitigation (to be conditioned in planning) See Section 5 for detailed method No evidence of past or present bat resting places in house or outbuildings. Blackbird nesting on site. A potential Pipistrelle nursery roost is present nearby but not on site. No work to commence until birds have finished nesting. Bats can move into a structure at any time. Since the buildings have good potential for bats, a mitigation method is given that is to be followed when work commences. Ecologist to be present when roof of barn stripped. Roof to be stripped by hand. One or more bat boxes to be installed as a habitat enhancement feature (see mitigation method for details). 2
1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background 1.1.1 A dwelling and associated outbuilding (OSGR SH 471 515) (figure 1) is the subject of a planning application for complete removal and replacement with a new energy sustainable dwelling. 1.1.2 The house is a two-storey structure of rendered stone construction with a slate roof. The roof is not lined but the slates have been mortared on the outside to protect from the elements. The house is extended to the rear with three structures; one of which has a collapsed asbestos cement roof (figure 2). 1.1.3 The adjacent barn is a single-storey structure with stone walls and a slate roof (figure 2). Skylights are present in the roof. The roof is not lined and the slates backed with torching. 1.1.4 The house is in a poor condition. The roof is deteriorating and the mortar crumbling. One of the dormer windows has collapsed, structural cracks are present in the walls and many of the timbers (eg fascia boards) on the outside of the building are rotten. 1.1.5 The surrounding habitat is very suitable for bats, being a mosaic of pasture bounded by lines of mature trees that provide good connectivity in the landscape. Watercourses are present in the wider landscape and other dwellings/old outbuildings. Additional outbuildings are present on the site that are accessible to wildlife. 1.2 Proposed works 1.2.1 The proposed works are to completely remove the house and barn and to replace with a new dwelling. 1.3 Aim of protected species survey 1.3.1 The objectives of the survey were to: note any evidence of past or current use of the building by bats. identify signs, or potential for other protected species that might be affected by the proposals. Figure 1: Location of Hendre Forion, Llanllyfni (tip of red arrow) 3
Figure 2: Structures affected by the proposals - top, west elevation (front); middle, east elevation (rear); bottom, barn attached to the north gable end (rear) 1.4 Summary of legislation and policy guidance affecting bats 1.4.1 All UK bat species are protected by National legislation (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 1, as amended) and European legislation (The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 as amended 2 ). 1.4.2 The European legislation does apply to property development and makes it an offence to: Deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat Deliberately disturb a bat in its roost or deliberately disturb a group of bats Damage or destroy a bat roosting place (even if bats are not present at the time) Possess or advertise/sell/exchange a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat Deliberately obstruct access to a bat roost. 1 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69/contents 2 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/490/contents/made 4
1.4.1 Selected species are afforded additional levels of conservation importance depending upon their conservation status at local, national and international levels. For example, certain species are included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, which aims to identify species of international (European) importance affected by rapid decline and risk. Certain species are included on the IUCN Red Data list of Threatened Species, that is a global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species. 1.4.2 Protected species surveys are required prior to any works being carried out if there is a risk that protected species might be encountered. Advice should always be sought from the Local Authority Biodiversity Officer or the Protected Species Officer at Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as to whether the surveys are needed whether planning permission is required or not 3. 1.4.3 Protected species activity is seasonal and surveys may have to take place over several months. Suitable time should be allowed before work is undertaken and additional time for a licence application to be made if needed (approximately 30 working days). 1.4.4 A Derogation (European Protected Species) Licence is required from the NRW if any acts associated with the development might result in causing an offence under the European law detailed above. A method statement that details all the mitigation and compensation measures to be provided, accompanies the licence application. 1.4.5 A licensing authority cannot issue a licence to enable development to be carried out unless satisfied that there is "no satisfactory alternative" to the derogation 3, and the derogation is "not detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range" 3. 1.5 Summary of legislation affecting birds 1.5.1 Breeding/Nesting Birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the CRoW Act 2000 as well as the Protection of Birds Acts 1954 to 1967). 1.5.2 In particular it is an offence for any person to: intentionally, deliberately or recklessly kill, injure or take any wild bird intentionally, deliberately or recklessly take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is being built or is in use intentionally, deliberately or recklessly take, damage or destroy an egg of any wild bird. 1.5.3 Barn Owls are protected at all times by special penalties under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). 2 METHOD 2.1 Daylight inspection 2.1.1 The interiors and exteriors of the buildings were inspected during daylight hours on 4 June 2015 for any signs of wildlife and any protected species issues noted. 2.2 Emergence survey 2.2.1 An emergence survey for bats leaving the building was carried out at dusk on 4 June 2015 (Table 1) by three surveyors, each watching different aspects of the buildings. 2.2.2 Each surveyor listened for bats using heterodyne bat detectors (BatBox Duet, Pettersson D100 and Pettersson D240x). 2.2.3 Frequency (FD) division bat detectors (Anabat, Titley) were placed outside on each side of the building, pointing towards different sections in order to assist in the identification of any bat species emerging. 2.2.4 The recorded data were analysed using the software, Analook (TItley). 3 Technical Advice Note 5: Nature Conservation and Planning (2009). Planning Policy Wales: Welsh Government 5
3 RESULTS 3.1 Daylight inspection 3.1.1 No signs of bats were found in the house. The building is in a poor state of repair, with high light levels on the upper storey and parts of the upper floor exposed to the elements. The ground floor has a significant network of floor to ceiling cobweb typical of the Cellar spider (Pholcidae). 3.1.2 The barn looks very suitable for bats but no signs of bat presence were found. 3.2 Results of emergence survey 3.2.1 The results of the emergence survey are given in Tables 1 and 2. The weather conditions were suitable for bats to be active. 3.2.2 No bats emerged from the buildings affected by the proposals. A Myotis bat was recorded that was not seen to come out of the house or barn, but due to the time that it was first noted this bat may be using another structure on site. Table 1: Survey conditions Date Sunset time 04.06.15 21:36 Start/End time 21:05 23:00 Min Temp C Weather conditions Wind Cloud cover % Rain 11-12 Calm 30 Dry Table 2: Results of bat emergence survey Time Species Observations 21:19 Common pipistrelle Arrived on site from the North along a tree line; approximately 8 bats seen to travel along this route, then dispersed. Three or four made 21:30 Soprano pipistrelle regular circuits around the trees and grassland on and around the property for the duration of the survey. 22:41 Myotis sp 3.3 Other protected species 3.3.1 A blackbird is nesting inside the barn. 3.3.2 No other protected species issues noted. 3.4 Protected sites Recorded on Anabat detector to the rear of the house but not seen to emerge from the building. Later heard foraging in trees to the front of the house. 3.4.1 The proposed works are localised and will not have any impact on protected sites. 4 ASSESSMENT 4.1 Conclusions 4.1.1 There is no evidence of past or current roosting inside the house or barn. 4.1.2 The barn in particular has suitable places that can be used by wildlife and the surrounding habitat is excellent for foraging bats. Other structures on site are also suitable for bats, including a stone shed in the former garden area of the house. 4.1.3 The observation of several Pipistrelle arriving from the same direction along the tree line suggests that a roost must be located at another site nearby. 4.1.4 A blackbird is nesting in the barn. 6
4.2 Actions (to be conditioned in planning) 4.2.1 All reasonable measures to be taken to avoid harm to wildlife. Given the potential of the buildings for wildlife (in particular the barn), a method statement is given in Section 5 that is to be followed in order to avoid committing a wildlife offence. 5 MITIGATION METHOD (TO BE CONDITIONED IN PLANNING) 5.1 Reasonable avoidance measures - bats 5.1.1 Work on the buildings can only commence after birds have finished nesting and all young birds have fledged. It should be noted that some birds will produce more than one clutch of eggs in a season and the nest is protected until the young have fledged. 5.1.2 Ensure that no nesting birds are present in any vegetation to be cleared. 5.1.3 The roof of the barn is to be stripped by hand in the presence of an ecologist. 5.1.4 Bats are highly mobile animals and can turn up in a structure at any time. If the work does not commence within 12 months from the date of this report, the owner is to arrange for the ecologist to check for bat presence at least 3 months prior to the commencement of work (and during the active bat season in case an additional emergence survey is required; May to August). If evidence of bats is found at that stage then an application will need to be made for a European Protected Species Licence in order to proceed with the work. The ecologist can assist with an EPS licence application as needed and advise on bat mitigation. 5.1.5 If bats are found at any stage when the ecologist is absent from site, contact Cathy Wüster (07525 399286) on how to proceed. If the ecologist cannot be reached, contact the Protected Species Officer at NRW (0300 065 3000) or the Bat Conservation Trust (0345 1300 228). Bats should not be handled for reasons of personal health and safety as well as legal species protection. 5.2 Lighting 5.2.1 Any outdoor lighting design should be sympathetic to nocturnal wildlife and be based on the following features: Keep the number of lights to a minimum Direct lights away from vegetation, especially trees and hedgerows Use solar power and motion-triggered lights that switch off when not required Use capped lights to prevent spill to the night sky; shrouded to limit spill Use low pressure sodium lamps and avoid mercury or metal halide lamps Minimum spill radius and 180 (or less) rather than 360. 5.3 Habitat enhancement features 5.3.1 Provide a roost habitat for bats, either a Low Profile Woodstone box (figure 3) on the new dwelling or an outbuilding, or two to three Schwegler 1FD bat boxes on a tree (figure 4). If a box is fitted to an outbuilding, ensure that the box is close to a vegetated area where bats can fly out into a line of trees. Location - any gable end facing away from lit areas and overlooking pasture/trees. Suitable for pipistrelle, summer and winter roosting. Self-contained and maintenance free. Mount as high as possible towards the apex of the gable (3-4 m minimum). Do not install above doors or windows Figure 3: Low Profile WoodStone bat box 7
Mount two or three boxes at a height of at least 3 m or more and arrange around the trunk in a circle (facing northwest/west, east and south; or in the case of just two boxes, facing east and south). Tree/boxes must be dark (ie not affected by light spill from any dwelling or outdoor lighting) and free of other future potential disturbances, eg bonfire smoke, barbeque smoke, etc). Make sure branches or leaves do not block the entrances to the boxes. Figure 4: Schwegler 1FD bat box for trees 5.4 Future work affecting other structures on site 5.4.1 If any other structures on site (that not included in this report) are to be worked on in the future, a bat and bird survey will be required for planning. 8