St Mary Redcliffe Ecological Impact Assessment

2.8 A list of other species considered during the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey are listed below:
• Badger
• Dormice
• Great Crested Newt (GCN)
• Nesting Birds
• Reptiles
Bats
2.9 Several different bat surveys were carried out as to assess the Site’s suitability to support bat
roosts. The following surveys were undertaken: Preliminary Roost Assessment, Preliminary
Hibernation Assessment, Ground Level Assessment (GLA) and Endoscope Surveys.
2.10 All features were examined using a torch (CB2-L1) Clubman Deluxe Li-Ion 12V 8.8 AH and
binoculars (Pentax Papilio ll 5x21)). The search took place on the 12 th August 2019, conducted by
Greg Nightingale (Class 2 Bat Licence holder) and Isaac Hogan. The survey methods used is in
accordance with Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) guidelines 3 .
2.11 Only the areas of the Site to be affected by the proposals were assessed (i.e. a complete survey
of the church was not carried out as the church would largely be unaffected by the proposals).
Information gathered was then used to evaluate the Bat Roost Potential (BRP, for designation see
Table 2.1) of each feature.
Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)
2.12 A PRA of the exterior of the church was undertaken to determine if the building had the potential
to support bat roosts. The PRA on Site included inspecting the north-east and south-east church
walls up to one storey high from the courtyard area only, as these were the areas to be affected
by the proposals. In addition, and external and internal survey of a small outbuilding, located to
the south-east of the church, was undertaken. This is the first step towards establishing whether
there are roosts present in, or access points available on structures or buildings. Features
searched for included: gaps in brickwork/stonework, lifting damaged rendering on walls and lifted,
or under tiles and slates. A thorough search for actual and potential signs, including bats,
droppings, urine splashes ect, were searched for.
Preliminary Hibernation Survey Assessment
2.13 Proposals include below ground work, as a result preliminary hibernation surveys were conducted
in underground spaces beneath the church and northern lawn, including the cellar; the vault; and
a third underground space, to evaluate the suitability for use by bats over winter. A thorough
search for actual and potential signs, including bats, droppings, urine splashes ect, were searched
looked for as well as potential access points into the underground area. including all vents, ducts,
and surfaces.
Ground Level Assessment (GLA)
2.14 All trees within the Site underwent a GLA. This included all trees found within the southern lawn.
The assessment involved a detailed inspection of a tree from ground level to identify any Potential
Roost Features (PRFs) that could be used by bats to roost. PRF searched for included: woodpecker
holes, loose bark, hollow trunks, cavities, splits and cracks along branches, and dense ivy lattices.
Endoscope Survey
2.15 PRFs found during the GLA, which were within close proximity to the proposed works was subject
to an endoscope survey (Video Borescope N85NH). This enabled a detailed review of the potential
for the PRF to support a bat roost. Evidence such as: droppings, grease marks and staining,
3 Collins, J. (ed.) (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd ed). The Bat Conservation Trust,
London.
Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 8 September 2019