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Cronk Vane, Eairy

Bat Survey Report

Report commissioned by Mr Shane Kermeen by phone 03/02/2023

Report compiled 13th February 2023

Quality Assurance

This report has been prepared following the Bat Conservation Trust’s guidelines contained in Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edn.), 2016.

The author holds a Manx Bat License, having previously held a UK Bat Roost Visitor’s License, and has over 30 years experience studying bats in both the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom.

Summary

No evidence of bat activity was found in any of the buildings to be demolished and there is extremely low potential for bat use of any of the buildings. Mitigation is not required but if possible eventual demolition should avoid times of bat occupation. Provision of bat boxes would be desirable.

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1. Requirement & background to the report A report into potential bat use of the dwelling Cronk Vane was requested in connection with a planning application, 22/00458/B - Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement 2 storey dwelling and erection of detached garage. Since demolition does not require planning consent the bat survey report is advisory, to prevent inadvertent contravention of the relevant provisions of the Wildlife Act 1990.

2. Description of site

A description and photographs of the building can be found in the Planning Statement on the planning portal: https://services.gov.im/planningapplication/services/planning/planningapplicationdetails.iom?Ap plicationReferenceNumber=22/00458/B

3. Previous evidence of bat activity

There are no records of bats in the immediate vicinity of the property, the nearest being in the village of Foxdale to the north.

4. Survey method Two members of the Manx Bat Group attended the property on the afternoon of 9th February 2023 and examined it externally and internally, looking for potential and actual use by bats. There were two agricultural sheds nearby also scheduled for demolition so these were also inspected.

5. Findings

The house has not been occupied for five or more years and is unheated although used for storage and as a workshop. It had many potential access points for bats but there was no evidence of occupancy and very little potential. The house is north facing with damp ingress on the eastern elevation and the very small attic space has many cobwebs adhering to the beams. The rear sloping tin roof covers a low, long room to the rear of the house with a jackdaw nest on the eastern wall. Spaces behind timbers, fascias etc on the external walls were examined with a torch and no bats were seen. The long roadside agricultural building had walls and part of the roof of corrugated ‘asbestos’ the rest being corrugated tin. Neither material is suitable for bats. The smaller shed alongside the house was similarly unsuitable.

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6. Conclusion Demolition of any of these buildings will not impact on a bat roost.

7. Caveats & Recommendations It is further understood that demolition of the house will not take place until the new dwelling is complete since it is to be used as an office and store during construction. Since timing of demolition is not critical it would b prudent to commence it outside the main periods that bats use buildings for either maternity roosts or hibernation. Therefore commencement dates in April or September would be advised. Mitigation is not strictly required but provision of bat boxes is always welcome The recommended boxes are made by Greenwood’s Ecohabitats from a mix of cement and recycled polystyrene with excellent temperature retention and breathability. They can be ordered in a variety of colours to match their surroundings from the website link below; https://www.greenwoodsecohabitats.co.uk/shop . They should be erected to receive insolation and free from overhanging branches impeding flight lines to and from the box(es). The findings and conclusions presented above are based strictly on the evidence available at the time of the investigation. It should be noted that although every care was taken during the survey to investigate the bat roost potential of the property not every crack was investigated close-up due to safety considerations. Bats are also capable, of course, of moving in after a survey has been completed. All bat species, and their roost sites, are protected under the Wildlife Act, 1990. In the event that bats are encountered during the course of renovation, then work must stop immediately and the staff at DEFA must be contacted for advice before proceeding.

Nick Pinder, B.Sc., M.Sc. Recorder, Manx Bat Group 13th February 2023