Introduction

Strongvox approached Ethos to provide ecological advise to support a planning application for the redevelopment of brownfield site. The former cheese factory had a various buildings, all in different build styles which will be demolished to allow the construction of new homes for the area.

Our role

Ethos undertook preliminary survey and desk study for the site which identified buildings suitability for bats and impacts of being within the SAC guidance. Further bat surveys were undertaken at the site in line with guidance and found a number of roosts across the site, including greater horseshoe. Greater horseshoe is an Annex II species and is one of the rarest species in the UK.

Following the completion of onsite surveys, a full ecological assessment report was written which was used in support of a major planning application for the site.

Results

• Full planning approval granted
  ∟ With acceptance of the ecological report and recommendations.
• Full bat licence was obtained on application using the ecological report
  ∟ This allowed the legal demolition of all buildings onsite.
• Bat house constructed onsite becoming a site feature
  ∟ Along with offering good compensation to the bat roosts across the site.