Harperbury Hospital
Scoping survey, herpetological surveys, bat surveys, mitigation and bat licence at part of an NHS hospital where new buildings were planned for construction.
Synopsis phase 1
NWC were approached by a client to undertake a scoping survey at part of an NHS hospital where new buildings were planned for construction, to assess the potential for protected species that may otherwise have been harmed during the works. The time constraints of the construction project were tight, requiring NWC to act fast.
The scoping survey highlighted two potential ecological issues:
- The site was in a known Great Crested Newt (GCN) area, and a potential GCN breeding pond was identified nearby
- Common reptile species had been recorded in the local area and areas of habitat onsite were suitable for these species
Bottle trap in-situ in a potential GCN breeding pond
- The pond was surveyed for GCN’s, with bottle trapping (see photo, below), egg searches and torch surveys
- A reptile presence/absence survey was carried out onsite, using artificial refugia (tiles of roof felt), which were laid on areas of rough grassland habitat
The surveys had the following results:
- No evidence of GCN’s was found during the pond survey
- No reptiles were identified during the presence/absence survey
The site remained at high risk for supporting reptiles in low numbers, due to the quality of habitat and the known reptile population in the area. To safeguard against unlawfully harming animals that were potentially present, NWC took the following action:
- NWC’s Tritex© Reptile Exclusion Fencing was erected around the site perimeter to prevent reptiles from entering the site
- A soil strip was undertaken within the fence by heavy plant. This was supervised by an NWC senior ecologist during a destructive search, whereby the spoil and stripped earth was watched closely throughout the operation to check for reptiles
Following the soil strip, the site was ‘signed off’ by NWC. The Tritex© Reptile Exclusion Fence remains intact during the construction phase, to continue excluding reptiles from the site. This is removed on completion of the construction phase.
Synopsis Phase 2
Following the first phase of ecological surveys, NWC were asked to undertake bat surveys in derelict buildings at the site which were to be demolished as part of planning requirements.
The findings of the survey were:
• Numerous bat droppings on railings outside several of the buildings
• Bat detectors were used to record four different species of bat foraging around the site
• The majority of the buildings were suitable for bats, with potential entry points in abundance
• A loft inspection of one of the buildings identified bat droppings on the loft floor, signifying its use by bats as a roost
Detailed surveys were completed to enable a successful DEFRA licence application. During the surveys, two Brown Long-Eared Bats were seen emerging from the roost building, firm evidence that the roost was in current use.
Mitigation package consisted of:
• 15 new bat boxes being erected around the site to replace lost roosting habitat
• Supervised hand roof stripping of all buildings. During the roof strips, ecologists work with the demolition experts to search for any bats remaining in the buildings
• NWC presented toolbox talks to all demolition team members regarding bats at the site, their legal protection and a protocol for when a bat is found in the roof
• Any bats found are carefully moved into the bat boxes on site
Once the roof strips are finished, the buildings will be demolished and NWC will perform future monitoring visits to check on the progress of bats at Harperbury.
