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Our Approach

Elton Ecology were requested to carry out a Desk Study and Protected Species Survey to discharge a planning condition, relating to the demolition of a farmhouse and the erection of a replacement residential dwelling within the Gedling Borough Council local authority area.

The Desk Study included a study of online resources for sites of nature conservation, and a data consultation with the Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Record Centre for records of any protected species at the site and surrounding area.

The field survey considered all protected/ notable species and included a Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment (PBRA) with reference to best practice guidelines (BCT, 2016), and a Barn Owl Survey (Barn Owl Trust, 2012) by our in-house Natural England licenced surveyors.

Following the results of the PBRA, Elton Ecology were subsequently commissioned with undertaking nocturnal emergence/re-entry bat surveys and DNA analysis of droppings, to identify bat species and characterise the bat roosts present.

The Issues

The building to be demolished supported non-maternity day roosts of brown long-eared and common pipistrelle bats. An occasionally used barn owl roost was also present within the building.

Our Solution

Elton Ecology Ltd supplied a Protected Species Survey Report which the applicant’s agent submitted to the Local Planning Authority. Our report contained a detailed mitigation strategy stating how the client would approach the protected species issues at the site, including obtaining a Natural England Mitigation Licence for the works, and siting bat and barn owl boxes at the site pre-development.

Elton Ecology provided full ecology support, including site registration and ecological supervision of the demolition works under a Natural England ‘low impact’ Bat Mitigation Class Licence, which enabled the work to be carried out with a significantly reduced timeframe and cost.