Bat barns have been created and reptile studies are being undertaken at a site on the southern edge of Bath, as part of Countryside’s planned housing development, Sulis Down.
One of the new bat barns at the Sulis Down development | Photo courtesy of Countryside
The first people on the 16.4-acre site are wildlife consultants who have been working with both Bath & North East Somerset Council and Natural England to put in place ecological measures to safeguard wildlife ahead of the start of wider work on the 171-home development.
A team from Kestrel Wildlife Consultants has been undertaking survey work and overseeing the building of bat barns which, like the development itself, incorporate the use of natural Bath Stone.
Man-made bat roosts are designed to provide stable micro-climates for bats and support the survival of many bat species.
Just like people, bats are looking for shelter that is clean, comfortable and secure and may live in several different roosts at different times of the year.
Different species of bats also have different roosting requirements. Temperature is an important factor for bats and they look for warm roosts in the summer and cool roosts in the winter.
Dr Laurent Duvergé from Kestrel Wildlife Consultants said: “The greater and lesser horseshoe bats, which are known to commute and forage along the southern edge of the site, are two of the rarer species of bats found in the UK.
“We designed the barns specifically to cater for their needs and to give them a secure foothold and roost in the area.
“We will be monitoring the barns over the next few years to determine bat numbers and activity in the area and will be carrying out additional tree planting in the autumn to increase their foraging areas.”
In addition to the bat barns, preparation is underway to translocate reptiles ahead of the works required to prepare the site for development.
Darren Dancey, Managing Director, South West, Countryside, commented: “At Countryside, we are proud not only to be delivering new sustainable communities but preserving the biodiversity of the areas surrounding our developments.
“Preserving local ecology and species such as bats was always a priority before commencing work at Sulis Down and that’s why we are thrilled to have the bat barns in place early.
“Working closely with the team at Kestrel Wildlife Consultants, we are confident the barns will serve the needs of these rarer species and we look forward to growing their foraging areas later this year.”
You can find out more about the Sulis Down development at a preview event taking place on Saturday 6th November at the Apex City of Bath Hotel.
