cranleigh hospital, cranleigh, surrey - waverley statement … · 2.3.3 this method statement sets...

Ref: VMAC104 / 001 / 001

November 2009

Thomson Ecology Ltd, Compass House, 60 Priestley Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YU.

Tel 01483 466000 or visit www.thomsonecology.com

Cranleigh Hospital,

Cranleigh, Surrey

For

Mace Group Ltd

Method Statement for Bats

Mace Group Ltd Cranleigh Hospital, Cranleigh, Surrey

Method Statement for Bats _________________________________________________________________________________

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Thomson Ecology Ltd 2 Ref: VMAC104 / 001 / 002

Contents 1 ...... SUMMARY 3

2 ...... INTRODUCTION 4 2.2 Ecology Background 4

2.3 Reason For Method Statement 4

2.4 Full Details of Proposed Works 4

3 ...... MITIGATION AND COMPENSATION 6

4 ...... WORKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE ECOLOGIST 7

5 ...... WORKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEVELOPER / LANDOWNER 8 5.1 In-situ Retention of Roosts 8

6 ...... TIMETABLE OF WORKS 9

7 ...... REFERENCES 10

8 ...... APPENDIX 1 - BRITISH BATS 11

9 ...... APPENDIX 2 – SUMMARY SHEET 17 9.1 Distribution 17

9.2 legal protection 17

9.3 Finding roosts 17

9.4 Working approach 17

9.5 Finding bats 17

FIGURE 1 SITE LOCATION FIGURE 2 LOCATION OF BAT ROOST IN LOFT 4 FIGURE 3 LOCATION OF POTENTIAL ACCESS/EGRESS POINTS IN LOFT 4 FIGURE 4 METHOD FOR CREATING A BAT ACCESS POINT USING A MODIFIED VENT TILE



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1 SUMMARY 1.1.1 Mace Group Ltd on behalf of the Surrey Primary Care Trust proposes to

construct new health care facilities upon the site of the existing Cranleigh village hospital. The development includes the destruction of the most recent extensions to the building and the modification of other areas.

1.1.2 The presence of a bat roost (likely brown long-eared bat) was confirmed in a loft space (Loft 4) within the north of the hospital building.

1.1.3 Bats and their roosts are strictly protected by both national and European legislation and planning policy making it an offence to kill or injure a bat or to disturb, damage or destroy a bat roost.

1.1.4 It would be possible to conduct these works without disturbing, damaging or destroying the bat roost or killing or injuring the bats present providing the work are carried out at a suitable time of year and that specific methods of working are followed.

1.1.5 This method statement sets out how these works can legally proceed.

Reproduced from 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey colour raster.Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 100045975This map must not be copied or reproduced by any means without prior written permission from Thomson Ecology Limited.

Figure: 1Site Location

For: Mace Group LtdDrawing Ref: VMAC104/5328/1Drawing Size: A4Drawn By: Thomson Ecology (KQ)Checked By: Thomson Ecology (NS)Date: 20/10/2009

Loft 5

Loft 2

Loft 4

Loft 1

Loft 6

Loft 3

B2

B3

B4

B5

0 0.2 0.40.1

Kilometers

43

5

83

24

Base map supplied by Mace Group LtdThis map must not be copied or reproduced by any means without prior written permission from Thomson Ecology Limited.

Figure: 2Location of Bat Roost in Loft 4Surveyed For: Mace Groupe LtdDrawing Ref: VMAC104/5329/1Drawing Size: A4Drawn By: Thomson Ecology (KQ)Checked By: Thomson Ecology (NS)Date: 20/10/2009

LegendLocation and Number of Bat Droppings

Location of Bat Roost (likely brown long-eared bats)

B2

B3

B4

B5

Loft 5

Loft 2

Loft 4

Loft 1

Loft 6

Loft 3

Loft 4

0 1 20.5

Metres

Overview

Base map supplied by Mace Group LtdThis map must not be copied or reproduced by any means without prior written permission from Thomson Ecology Limited.

Figure: 3Location of Potential Access / Egress Points in Loft 4Surveyed For: Mace Groupe LtdDrawing Ref: VMAC104/5331/1Drawing Size: A4Drawn By: Thomson Ecology (KQ)Checked By: Thomson Ecology (NS)Date: 21/10/2009

LegendBat Access Points

Gap in lead flashing

Lead pipe

Missing or slipped roof tile

Roof grill

B2

B3

B4

B5

Loft 5

Loft 2

Loft 4

Loft 1

Loft 6

Loft 3

Loft 4

0 1 20.5

Metres

Overview

This figure must not be copied or reproduced by any means without prior written permission from Thomson Ecology Limited.

Figure: 4Method for Creating Bat Access Point using Modified Vent TileSurveyed For: Mace Group LtdDrawing Ref: VMAC104/5347/1Drawing Size: A4Drawn By: Thomson Ecology (KQ)Checked By: Thomson Ecology (NS)Date: 22/10/2009

A modified vent tile can be used to create bat access points into a roof with plain tilesThe KLOBER Uni-plain vent tile (KG9918) is a uni-line ventilating tile which suits most clay and concrete plain tiles and can easily be adapted for bat access.

1. Flip the vent over and remove down pipe from back of tile

2. Turn vent tile over and unclip the two halves. With an angle grinderremove the insect grill from each part.

3. Roughen the surface of the vent tile to create extra grip for bats.

4. The finished modified vent tile is ready to install.The vent tile fitted as per manufacturers instructionsand underlay is marked and cut to alllow bat accessinto roof void. The tile vent is then positionedadjacent to the next tile, nailed in place and tiling continued as normal.

Dimensions:300mm long by 300mm wide.Once modified the access gap is 15mm wide by 290mm long.

The KLOBERUni-Plain tile vent (KG9918) is available from KLOBER Limited Ingleberry RoadShepshedLeicestershireLE12 9DE

Un-modified vent Vent with grilles removed

Roughen this area



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2 INTRODUCTION 2.1.1 Mace Group Ltd on behalf of the Surrey Primary Care Trust proposes to

construct new health care facilities upon the site of the existing Cranleigh village hospital. The proposals described above are hereafter referred to collectively as ’the development’.

2.1.2 The development will be located on a 0.43ha area of land consisting of three main buildings including the Cranleigh village hospital and the Cranleigh health centre (Grid Reference TQ 059 390), adjacent to the High Street, Cranleigh, Surrey, see Figure 1. The area affected by the development is hereafter referred to as ‘the site’.

2.2 ECOLOGY BACKGROUND

2.2.1 Following a detailed internal inspection and two dusk emergence/dawn return to roost surveys undertaken in August 2009 (TE report: ZPCT101/VMAC102/001/001) the presence of a bat roost (likely brown long-eared bat) was confirmed in a loft space (Loft 4) within the north of the hospital building (see Figure 2).

2.3 REASON FOR METHOD STATEMENT

2.3.1 As set out in Appendix 1 it would be an offence to kill or injure a bat or to disturb, damage or destroy their roost. This will therefore need to be avoided during the development process.

2.3.2 The bats have been confirmed to be roosting within Loft 4 which is located in a part of the building that is scheduled to be retained. Minor works include re-roofing and the demolition of walls/interiors below. It would be possible to conduct these works without disturbing, damaging or destroying the bat roost or killing or injuring the bats present providing the work is carried out at a suitable time of year and that specific methods of working are followed.

2.3.3 This method statement sets out how these works can legally proceed.

2.4 FULL DETAILS OF PROPOSED WORKS

2.4.1 The hospital building ranges in age from the original building constructed in 1860 to a number of recent extensions from the 1900s and 1980s. Mace Group Ltd plan to completely demolish the most recent additions to the hospital building that were constructed in the 1960s and 1980s. The “Victorian extensions” (1900s) to the hospital building will be retained though they will be completely refurbished internally. The front section of the village hospital building is a grade II listed building and will be completely retained



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during the subsequent development. The following development works relate to this method statement:

• Repairs to the roof and slipped/missing tiles on Loft 4;

• Undertaking of minor cabling works in Loft 4;

• Remodelling and refurbishment of all retained rooms below loft space 4; and

• Demolition of adjacent parts of the building.

2.4.2 Mace Group Ltd on behalf of the Surrey Primary Care Trust planning applications are now anticipated to be submitted in late November or early December 2009.



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3 MITIGATION AND COMPENSATION Timing of Works

3.1.1 To ensure that killing and injury of bats and the disturbance, damage and destruction of roosts is avoided, works are to be timed when bats are least likely to be present (see Tables 1 and 2). In addition a licenced ecologist will check the roost for signs of bats prior to the commencement of works.

Toolbox Talk

3.1.2 If bats are found not to be present a toolbox talk will then be given to all personnel involved in the works directly and indirectly affecting Loft 4 (see Section 4.1.2).

Watching Brief

3.1.3 An ecologist will then be present for all works involving the removal of any roof tiles and works around potential access/egress points for bats (see Section 4.1.3).

Roofing Works

3.1.4 If it is necessary for any tiles to be replaced that could be potential access/egress points for bats (see Figure 3) this will be carried out using specially designed tiles that will retain existing access/egress points (see Section 5.1.3 and Figure 4).



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4 WORKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE ECOLOGIST 4.1.1 In order to avoid the killing or injury of bats and the disturbance, damage and

destruction of the roost works are to be timed to coincide with when bats are absent from the roost. Immediately prior to any works a licenced ecologist will check the roost to ensure that the bats are absent. The ecologist will then give a tool box talk to all involved in removal of roof tiles and works on the rooms below and adjacent to the loft void.

4.1.2 The tool box talk will cover the following points:

• Introduce the ecologist;

• Explanation of why watching brief is necessary, including legal protection of bats;

• What to look for; and

• Working approach.

4.1.3 It will be explained that a copy of the method statement must remain available on site at all times. A summary sheet will be given to each builder and contractor working on demolition of the building (see Appendix 2).

4.1.4 Following the tool box talk, any roof tiles to be removed will be removed by hand under close supervision of the named ecologist. Close supervision requires that the ecologist will be present on scaffolding or mechanical lifting equipment being used to strip the roof tiles as far as it is safe to do so.

4.1.5 The timetable of when works can proceed is detailed in Table 1. The timetable of works in Table 2 details periods when an ecologist will be present on site and when the optimum timing of the development works should be undertaken.

4.1.6 In the unlikely event that a bat is discovered or suspected to be present when the ecologist is not present on site, works will cease, until the named ecologist arrives on site.



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5 WORKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEVELOPER / LANDOWNER

5.1 IN-SITU RETENTION OF ROOSTS

5.1.1 The roost within Loft 4 is to be retained. Therefore care needs to be taken when completing works within the following areas of the building.

All Works on Site

5.1.2 Works should not continue after sunset as the additional lighting required could disturb bats in the vicinity of the roost.

Roofing Works on Loft 4

5.1.3 Replacement of missing and damaged tiles must ensure that potential access/egress points for bats are not compromised. The potential access points in Loft 4, identified in the initial survey can be seen in Figure 3. These access points and further access points identified during the watching brief should be retained throughout the proposed development. Removal of any roof or hanging tiles should be supervised by an ecological watching brief as detailed in Section 2.1. Specially modified tiles can be incorporated into the roof to maintain both the aesthetic integrity and the access/egress for bats into the roof void. Examples of the design of these tiles are shown in Figure 4.

Works within Loft 4

5.1.4 Works will be timed to coincide with the time of year when bats are least likely to be present (see Table 1). Prior to any minor works being undertaken within the loft void e.g. minor cabling works, a licenced bat worker should first inspect the loft space to determine the presence/likely absence of bats. If timber treatment is required only approved products should be used and treatment should only be undertaken when bats are absent from the loft space.

Works Below and Adjacent to Loft 4

5.1.5 Major works including the demolition of internal walls below the Loft 4 should be undertaken when bats are least likely to be present. Care must be taken to ensure that the ceiling (floor of loft) is not damaged and does not collapse during demolition works. Interior works may be undertaken in other parts of the building away from the roost throughout the year.


Method Statement for Bats _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Thomson Ecology Ltd 9 Ref: VMAC104 / 001 / 002

6 TIMETABLE OF WORKS Table 1: Time when bats are least likely to be present and the preferred timing of works.

Green shading = Optimal timing of works Table 2: Timetable of works pertaining to this method statement

2009 2010 Action Role

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Tool box talk E

Watching brief E

Roofing Works* D

Works within Loft 4* D

Works below and adjacent to Loft 4* D

E = Ecologist, D = Developer, * = Can not proceed until completion of tool box talk and must proceed under watching brief.

Jan Feb March Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Loft 4



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7 REFERENCES 7.1.1 Bat Conservation Trust (2007). Bat Surveys, Good Practice Guidelines.

BCT, London.

7.1.2 Collingwood Environmental Planning and Land Use Consultants (2009) South East Plan. South East England Regional Assembly.

7.1.3 HM Government (2005) Planning Policy Statement 9 - Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.

7.1.4 HM Government (2005) Government Circular: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation – Statutory obligations and their impact within the planning system.

7.1.5 Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & McLeish, A.P. (1999). Bat Workers' Manual (2nd Edition). Joint Nature Conservancy Committee, Peterborough

7.1.6 Mitchell-Jones (2004) Bat Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough

7.1.7 Russ, J. (1999). The Bats of Britain and Ireland. Alana Ecology, Shropshire.

7.1.8 Waverley Borough Council (2002) Waverley Local Plan (saved policies)



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8 APPENDIX 1 - BRITISH BATS 8.1 INTRODUCTION

8.1.1 A summary of the biology of British bats, the legislation that protects them and other mechanisms of highlighting species of conservation concern is provided below. For further information, the relevant source documents should be consulted.

8.2 BIOLOGY

8.2.1 There are seventeen British species of bats of two families, the horseshoe bats (Rhinolophidae) and vesper bats (Vespertilionidae). In Britain, there are two species of horseshoe bat both of which belong to the genus Rhinolophus, and the fifteen species of vesper belonging to six genera (Myotis, Eptesicus, Nyctalus, Pipistrellus, Plecotus and Barbastella). Whilst there are many differences in the biology of the different species, all share certain characteristics and these are described below.

Roosting

8.2.2 Bat species utilise roost sites of varying character; some preferring tree roosts whilst others are thought to be almost entirely dependent on built structures. Most bats will have a range of available roosting sites within their range which they move between throughout the year. They are generally faithful to their roosts and a colony of bats may use the same roost site(s) year after year.

8.2.3 In winter bats hibernate, often animals gather to hibernate communally remaining in the same hibernation roost from November to February/March. Hibernation roost sites typically have a constant low temperature and high humidity levels, sites include caves, mines, thick walled buildings and hollow trees. As the temperature and day length increase in spring bats leave their hibernation roosts, either moving immediately to summer roost sites or utilising occasional, transitional roosts.

8.2.4 By June breeding females congregate in maternity roost sites where they will give birth to, and nurture young. Male bats are also occasionally found roosting in maternity roosts but during this period they mostly roost alone. Maternity roost sites include hollowed out trees, buildings and bridges. Male bats may use similar sites but also cracks and crevices in trees, under loose tiles or even amongst dense ivy growth during the summer period. Similar sites may be used by bats for brief periods during the night when they are resting or eating recently caught prey. In autumn, male bats establish mating



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roosts and are visited by females and then a variety of roost sites may be used until the bats return to their hibernation roosts.

Foraging

8.2.5 All British bat species feed on invertebrates, with flies, beetles, moths and other insects making up much of their diet. Areas rich in insects are therefore favoured foraging sites for bats, with woodlands, scrub, wetlands, river corridors and flower rich grasslands being favoured foraging habitats. Habitats such as intensively farmed arable land, and amenity grassland support a much lower invertebrate diversity and is therefore unfavourable foraging habitat for bats.

Commuting

8.2.6 Bats favour roost sites in close proximity to suitable foraging habitat, however given variation in prey availability, land-use change, and competition with other bats, for at least part of the year bats must commute between their roosts and foraging habitat.

8.2.7 Commuting routes tend to follow linear features in the landscape such as hedgerows, woodland edges, rivers and other watercourses, particularly when crossing areas of less favourable habitat. The distance that bats commute between roost sites and foraging areas is dependent on local geography and also the species of bat. Some species will travel up to 18km, though shorter distances are more typical.

8.3 SITE DESIGNATION

8.3.1 All bat roosts in the UK receive protection under the following legislation:

• Conservation (Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994 (as amended 2007);

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended;

• The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; and

• Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.

8.3.2 This is described in more detail under ‘Species Protection’ below. In addition, the most important sites for certain bat species in the UK receive further statutory protection by being designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

8.3.3 Four bat species, greater and lesser horseshoe, barbastelle and Bechstein’s bats, in the UK are included on Annex II of the European Community Directive of the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and



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Flora, referred to as the Habitats Directive. The Habitats Directive was transposed into UK law by the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994 (as amended 2007). This legislation requires that areas are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to protect populations of these bat species. To date, 23 SACs have been designated specifically to protect these species, with a further 6 SACs where their presence is a qualifying feature but not the primary reason that the site was designated.

8.3.4 Sites designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) are known as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). SSSIs received further protection under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW).

8.3.5 Some SSSIs are designated for the population(s) of bats that they support. The criteria for selecting SSSIs on the basis of their bat populations are provided in Guidelines for the Selection of Biological SSSIs (NCC, 1989):

• Greater horseshoe bat – all main breeding roosts and all winter roosts with 50 or more adult bats;

• Lesser horseshoe bat - all main breeding roosts containing 100 or more adult bats and all winter roosts containing 50 or more bats;

• Barbastelle, Bechstein’s and grey long-eared bats – any traditional breeding roosts;

• Natterer’s, Daubenton’s whiskered, Brandt’s, serotine, noctule and Leisler’s bats – only exceptionally large breeding roosts or those with a long history of use.

• Mixed Roost sites – all hibernacula containing 4 or more species and more than 50 individuals or 3 species and 100 or more individuals or 2 species and 150 or more individuals, though these criteria may be lower in some parts of the UK.

8.3.6 Sites that qualify as SSSIs for the bat populations they support are considered to be of at least national importance for the bats they support.

8.3.7 Sites designated for nature conservation at the county level may also include bat populations as part of the site qualifying criteria, although the criteria used may vary from county to county. Such sites are protected through the planning system and there is generally a presumption against development that affects such sites in local authority development plans.



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8.4 SPECIES PROTECTION

Legislation

8.4.1 Both within and outside designated sites, all bat species are fully protected under the Conservation Regulations 1994 (as amended 2007), the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as amended. Taken together, these make it an offence to:

• Deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat;

• Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat;

• Intentionally, deliberately or recklessly damage, destroy, disturb, or obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by a bat;

• Possess or control any live or dead specimen or anything derived from a bat, unless acquired lawfully; and

• Sell, barter, exchange or transport or offer for sale bats or part of them.

8.4.2 A roost is any structure or place used by bats for shelter or protection. As bats tend to re-use the same roosts year after year, the roost is protected whether bats are present or not at the time.

8.4.3 In this context, ‘damage’ would include such operations as treatment of wood with toxic preservatives or use of rodenticides near roosting bats while ‘disturbance’ includes any work in or affecting a bat roost.

8.4.4 If proposed actions, such as redevelopment of an existing building may lead to an offence under the above legislation, appropriate mitigation which seeks to avoid these impacts should be devised and implemented under licence from Natural England to allow the activity to proceed legally.

8.4.5 In addition to the above legislation, all bats are protected under the Bonn Convention, within which the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (1991) or EUROBAT, establishes a mechanism for international collaboration to conserve bats and their habitats, including foraging habitats. All European bat species are covered under Appendix II of the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

8.4.6 The Hedgerow Regulations 1997 provide for the conservation of ‘important’ hedgerows and their constituent trees. The presence of a protected species such as bats is included in the assessment of whether a hedgerow is



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considered ‘important’ and applications to remove such hedgerows must be made to the planning authority.

Planning Policy

8.4.7 Planning Policy Statement 9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (PPS9) gives further direction with respect to biodiversity conservation and land use change / development. PPS9 states that not only should existing biodiversity, including bat species, be conserved but importantly that habitats supporting such species should be enhanced or restored where possible. The policies contained within PPS9 may be material to decisions on individual planning applications.

8.5 UK BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN AND SPECIES OF PRINCIPAL IMPORTANCE

8.5.1 Seven species of bats (Barbastelle, Bechstein’s, greater and lesser horseshoe, brown long-eared, noctule and soprano pipistrelle) are listed as Priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (HM Government 1994 et seq.). The UK Biodiversity Action Plan was published in response to the 1992 International Convention on Biological Diversity.

8.5.2 As a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, these species are also listed as Species of Principal Importance for the Conservation of Biodiversity in England under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006. This places a duty on all government departments to have regard for the conservation of these species and on the Secretary of State to further, or promote others to further, the conservation of these species.

8.6 REFERENCES

8.6.1 Altringham, J. (2003) British Bats. New Naturalist Series No. 93.

8.6.2 Bat Conservation Trust (2007). Bat Surveys, Good Practice Guidelines. BCT, London.

8.6.3 Entwistle, A. C., Harris, S., Hutson, A., Racey, P., Walsh, A., Gibson, S., Hepburn, I., and Johnston, J. (2002) Habitat management for bats: A guide for land managers, land owners and their advisors. JNCC, Peterborough.

8.6.4 Highways Agency (1996 et seq) Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 10 Environmental Design and Management,Section 4 The Good Roads Guide- Nature Conservation, Part 6 Nature Conservation Management Advice in Relation to Bats.

8.6.5 HM Government (1995) Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Volume 2: Action Plans. JNCC, Peterborough.



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8.6.6 HM Government (1998) Tranche 2 Action Plans: Volumes I and II. English Nature, Peterborough.

8.6.7 Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & McLeish, A.P. (1999). Bat Workers' Manual (2nd Edition). Joint Nature Conservancy Committee, Peterborough

8.6.8 NCC (1989) Guidelines for Selection of Biological SSSIs. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough

8.6.9 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2005) Planning Policy Statement 9; Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.



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9 APPENDIX 2 – SUMMARY SHEET 9.1 DISTRIBUTION

9.1.1 This appendix should be read and understood by all those involved in the demolition, timber treatment, roofing and building works. This includes the site owner, architect, Clerk of works, and contractors whose work may affect bat roosts.

9.2 LEGAL PROTECTION

9.2.1 All bat species are fully protected under the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000). Taken together, these make it an offence to damage or disturb any bat roost, whether occupied or not, or to harm a bat.

9.3 FINDING ROOSTS

9.3.1 Bat roosts can be difficult to detect, Britain’s most common bat the pipistrelle is small enough to fit into a match box and can gain entry to buildings through gaps and cracks just 14-20mm wide. Roosts are commonly found beneath roofing slates or tiles, in crevices between stonework (particularly where these extend to the rubble fill or wall cavity), in mortice joints, around window frames, behind barge boards, hanging tiles, wooden weatherboarding and behind dense ivy or climbing plants.

9.4 WORKING APPROACH

9.4.1 A bat roost is present in loft 4. Works must be undertaken when bats are not present. Any works in and around the loft space should be conducted following a toolbox talk by an ecologist:

• No persons are to enter the loft space unless accompanied by an ecologist;

• Working hours should be restricted in rooms adjacent to the loft (no working after sunset); and

• An ecologist should be present for all roofing works.

9.5 FINDING BATS

9.5.1 In the unlikely event that bats are found works should stop immediately and if an ecologist is present they should be contacted. If the ecologist is not present on site Natural England should be contacted immediately (0845 600 3078) and also Thomson Ecology (01483 466000) for advice.



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9.5.2 Do not touch or remove bats unless absolutely necessary. If it is necessary to handle a bat to ensure it is not at risk of being harmed, gloves should be worn. It should be carefully caught in a cardboard box and kept enclosed in a quiet place until it can be released at dusk near to where it was found, or moved to an undisturbed part of the building, with outside access, and placed in a location safe from predators.

cranleigh hospital, cranleigh, surrey - waverley statement … · 2.3.3 this method statement sets...

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