Demolition Network have started the New Year in style by providing a new home for five new friends – a roost of tiny bats.
The Manchester based demolition contractors earned high praise for their work on the Nottingham site and their ‘responsible’ attitude the moment they suspected bats were present.
Experts EMEC Ecology insist their work at Forest Mill in Nottingham proves contractors do not have view bats as a problem and demonstrates the correct way to handle the discovery of roosts.
Senior Ecologist, Sean Gallagher, said: “Bats are protected by law and it is reckless to begin any type of demolition work without establishing whether there are bats present.
“If it is proved that a builder has continued without regard for the bats they will be fined up to £5,000-per-offence.
“Demolition Network have shown at Forest Mill that the discovery of bats does not have to be a problem if the correct process is followed.[singlepic id=176 w=320 h=240 float=right]
“They suspected bats may be present in a particular area and we were able to confirm that after inspecting the premises and then applying for permission to remove the roost.
“It is a straight forward process but has to be done, otherwise builders are breaking the law.
“Demolition Network have erected three bat boxes, a large hibernation box and two summer boxes ensuring demolition work can continue safe in the knowledge that the bats will be happy in their new home.”
Evidence
Demolition Network began working on the site last April and were concerned that bats were nesting inside a section of the building.
Ecology experts EMEC were called into investigate and found a small roost of Common Pipistrelle bats inside a former office block – feeding off a plentiful supply of flies and insects.[singlepic id=181 w=320 h=240 float=left]
EMEC Ecology are a specialist ecological consultancy who undertake protected species surveys.
Demolition Network were granted a European Protection Species Licence which allowed them to remove the roost and install the man made boxes.
Demolition Network MD Paul Edwards, said: “Bats have got a bad press and some builders do panic when they discover them.
“Unfortunately you do hear some horror stories of bats being smoked out or their roosts being removed without going through the proper channels.
“We take our commitment to the environment extremely seriously and as we have proved at Forest Mill it isn’t a difficult process to follow if you do it right.
“Now they have been removed we can get on with the rest of our job and deliver a clean site for the developers to continue their work.”
<h2>EMEC Ecology</h>
Sean Gallagher MSc MIEEM, Consultancy Manager & Senior Ecologist.
Sean is primarily responsible for bat survey and mitigation advice (including applications for European Protected Species licences with respect to bats) and is a licensed bat surveyor.
He is also highly experienced in botanical survey and management planning and has over ten years experience of professional ecological work. This includes upland vegetation surveys in the Mourne Mountains and seabird surveys on the west coast of Scotland and Shetland. Sean is also licenced to survey for great crested newts and white-clawed crayfish.
http://www.emec-ecology.co.uk
Further Reading
For more information on bats and the potential removal of roost from a home or site go to the Natural England website by clicking on this link.
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/species/europeanprotectedspecies.aspx