Appendix G2 – Overdale Buildings Bat Survey Results Report

Environmental Impact Statement

Appendix G2 – Overdale

Buildings Bat Survey Results

Report

Official Sensitive – Restricted - Distribution only if approved by the Project Director

OHP-ARP-XX-XX-RP-J-01G020

Rev. P01

S2 – For Information

12th November 2021

1

BAT SURVEY RESULTS REPORT For

The Overdale Hospital Buildings Westmount Road, St Helier

On behalf of LDA Design

24th June 2021

Report Reference: NE/ES/OV.02

Report Prepared by;

www.nurtureecology.com

Nurture Ecology Ltd, Le Coin Barn, La Ruelle du Coin, St Ouen, JE3 2LL

(Tel: 01534 481211)

On Behalf of LDA Design Bat Survey Results Report for Overdale Hospital Buildings

Nurture Ecology Ltd 24th June 2021 – NE/ES/OV.02 2



REPORT SUBMISSION FORM

APPLICANT LDA Design

REPORT TITLE Bat Survey Results Report for Overdale Hospital Buildings

REPORT STATUS Final

FILE REFERENCE NE/ES/OV.02

PLANNING APPLICATION REF Pre-planning

REPORT WRITTEN BY;

NAME POSITION DATE REVIEWED BY; Director – Nurture Ecology

Ltd 24/06/2021

APPROVED FOR ISSUE TO CLIENT;

Director – Nurture Ecology Ltd

24/06/2021

ISSUED TO CLIENT; Client

24/06/2021

Disclaimer This report is issued to the client for their sole use and for the intended purpose as stated in the agreement between the client and Nurture Ecology Ltd under which this work was completed, or else as set out in this report. This report may not be relied upon by any other party without the express written agreement of Nurture Ecology Ltd. The use of this report by unauthorized third parties is at their own risk and Nurture Ecology Ltd accepts no duty of care to any such third party. Nurture Ecology Ltd has exercised due care in preparing this report. It has not, unless specifically stated, independently verified information provided by others. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made in relation to the content of this report and Nurture Ecology Ltd assumes no liability for any loss resulting from errors, omissions of misrepresentation made by others. Nurture Ecology Ltd accepts no responsibility for any prosecution of the client or other third party in relation to the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000. Any recommendation, opinion or finding in this report is based on circumstances and facts as they existed at the time that Nurture Ecology Ltd performed the work. Nothing in this report constitutes legal opinion. If legal opinion is required the advice of a qualified legal professional should be secured.



CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5

1 INTRODUCTION 6

1.1 Background Information & Aims of Survey 6

2 METHODS 7

2.1 Summary of Methods & Surveyor Information 7

2.2 Dusk Emergence Survey 7

2.3 Limitations on Survey Information 8

3 RESULTS 9

3.1 Dusk Emergence Survey 9

4 ECOLOGICAL EVALUATION & OVERVIEW 10

4.1 Bats 10

4.2 Birds 11

5 FURTHER SURVEY REQUIREMENTS 11

6 MITIGATION MEASURES 11

6.1 Breeding Birds 11

6.2 Demolition / Roof Strip 12

7 REFERENCES & RESOURCES 12

APPENDIX 1 JUSTIFICATION OF BAT SURVEY EFFORT 13

APPENDIX 2 BAT SURVEY RESULTS: SURVEY MAP 15

APPENDIX 3 EVIDENCE OF COMPETENCE OF ECOLOGIST (S) 17

Appendix 4 LIFESPAN OF ECOLOGICAL REPORTS & SURVEYS 19



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Nurture Ecology Ltd were commissioned by LDA Design (the client) to undertake a dusk emergence

survey for bats and birds of the buildings at the Overdale Hospital Site, St Helier in June 2021. This report

presents the findings of the dusk survey and identifies any potential negative impacts on roosting,

commuting and foraging bats and birds, which may result from proposed works at this site.

During a Preliminary Roost Inspection survey carried out by Nurture Ecology Ltd on 6th August 2020, the

buildings on site were assessed for their suitability for roosting bats. During the survey, two of the

buildings were assessed of being of low suitability for bats (Westmount Assessment and Rehab Centre

(WARC) and the Asbestos Buildings), with the remaining buildings being assessed as being of

negligible suitability. As per the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) Good Practice Guidelines, a dusk

emergence survey was carried out on the 14th June 2021, the results of which are summarised below.

Bat Survey Results

No bats were seen to emerge from or re-enter the buildings during the dusk emergence survey.

Infrequent common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) commuting activity was observed around the

WARC building. Low levels of foraging and commuting activity from common pipistrelles,

Nathusius/Kuhl’s pipistrelles and a Serotine bat were observed around the asbestos building.

Summary

Roosting bats are considered likely to be absent from the Overdale Hospital Buildings and the

proposed works to the building are considered unlikely to have an impact on this protected species

groups.

Gull species (herring, greater and lesser black-backed) are confirmed to be nesting on multiple

buildings on site and house sparrows are presumed to be nesting on site. As breeding birds are

present, demolition of the buildings / the removal of large shrubs / trees should ideally commence

between October – February inclusive to avoid the breeding bird season.

No further survey effort is recommended at this site for bats or birds, provided that any works

commence within 18 - 24 months of the survey completion date (14th June 2021) (if works take place

after this time, further assessment may be required).



1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background and Aims of Survey

1.1.1 This report presents the findings of a dusk emergence survey for bats and birds undertaken by Nurture

Ecology Ltd at the Overdale Hospital Buildings (also referred to as the ‘site’), St Helier. This report

provides the necessary survey information regarding the likely use of the site by bats and birds, to

accompany a Planning Application for works at this site.

1.1.2 An Initial Ecological Assessment (IEA) and Preliminary Roost Inspection (PRI) were undertaken by

Nurture Ecology Ltd in August 2020 to assess the suitability of the Overdale Hospital Buildings for

roosting bats and breeding birds. During the survey, 16 buildings were assessed, two of which were

assessed as being of low suitability for bats (Westmount Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre (WARC)

and the Asbestos Buildings) with the remaining buildings being assessed as having negligible suitability

for bats. Please refer to Nurture Ecology report ‘Initial Ecological Assessment of Overdale’ (Report Ref:

NE/ES/OV.01) for further details regarding the site description and the findings of the IEA and PRI.

Figure 1 below, taken from Section 3.9 of the IEA report, illustrates the buildings present within the

Overdale Hospital grounds, with the buildings shaded in green showing the buildings which have been

subject to the further bat activity survey.

1.1.3 Tables 7.1 (page 51) and 7.3 (page 52) of the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) Good Practice Guidelines

recommend that, for buildings of ‘low’ suitability for bats, one dusk or dawn emergence survey must

be undertaken, between May and August. As such, dusk emergence survey was undertaken on 14th

June 2021.

1.1.4 A number of private residential properties are included within the grounds of the proposed hospital

development but fall outside of the Overdale grounds. These buildings will be assessed for their

suitability for protected species at a later date and this report focuses purely on the Overdale site itself

and the results of the further bat activity survey.



Figure 1. Map of the Overdale Hospital Buildings taken from Section 3.9 of the IEA report for Overdale

(NE/ES/OV.01), highlighting the buildings on site which have been assessed as being of low suitability

for roosting bats and have been subject to further bat activity surveys (green).

2 METHODS

2.1 Summary of Methods and Surveyor Information

2.1.1 The survey methodology and effort adopted for the survey follows the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT)

‘Bat Survey for Professional Ecologists’ Good Practice Guidelines – 3rd Edition (Collins, J. 2016). Please

refer to Appendix 1 for more information.

2.2 Dusk Emergence Survey

2.2.1 The dusk emergence survey began 15 minutes before sunset and finished 1.5 hours after sunset, as per

table 7.2 (page 51) of the BCT guidelines (Collins, 2016).



2.2.2 During the survey, surveyors used Elekon Batlogger M bat detectors and recorded any calls heard

onto an internal flash card in time expansion format. Notes were taken by all surveyors of calls heard

and bats seen, including any additional information such as behaviour, direction of flight, feeding

activity etc. Weather conditions were recorded using a Kestrel 3000 weather-meter at the beginning

and end of the survey. All recordings were analysed by Nurture Ecology using Bat Explorer 2.1.4.0.

2.2.3 The results of the dusk emergence survey are provided in Section 3.1. Survey summaries and surveyor

locations are provided in Appendix 2.

2.2.4 Further information on Nurture Ecology staff qualifications and experience can be found in Appendix

3. All surveyors are trained in bat surveying and the use of bat detectors.

2.3 Limitations on Survey Information

2.3.1 Dusk Survey

o The survey at the Overdale Hospital Buildings fulfils BCT Good Practice Guidelines requirements.

Sufficient numbers of surveyors were used to effectively ‘cover’ the site, but late emergence of

bats (i.e. in darkness) are always difficult to observe.

2.3.2 Equipment

o It is felt that there were no constraints on the equipment used to survey the Overdale Hospital

Buildings.



3 RESULTS

3.1 Dusk Emergence Survey

3.1.1 Table 1 and Figures 2 & 3 provide a summary of bat activity for the dusk emergence survey. Please see

Appendix 2 for information from the bat survey including weather conditions and surveyors. Table 1. Summary of survey data and bat activity observed at the Overdale Hospital Buildings.

Figure 2. Summary of bat activity observed during the dusk survey at Overdale Hospital Buildings –

WARC building.

Survey Emergences Commuting / Foraging Other Observations

Dusk

Emergence

14/06/2021

None observed Very infrequent common

pipistrelle activity seen and

heard from around the

WARC building. Higher

levels of activity from

common pipistrelles,

Nathusius/Kuhl’s pipistrelles

and a Serotine bat recorded

from the Asbestos Building

but still low levels of activity

overall.

Herring gulls and a

Greater black-

backed gull

observed nesting

on the asbestos

buildings.

Key

Emergence (s)

Commuting

Foraging

Surveyor Location



Figure 3. Summary of bat activity observed during the dusk survey at Overdale Hospital Buildings –

Asbestos building.

4 ECOLOGICAL EVALUATION, OVERVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Bats

4.1.1 Roosting

No bats were seen to emerge from, re-enter or have any association with the buildings at the

Overdale Hospital during the dusk survey. As such, it is of our professional opinion that roosting bats are

likely to be absent from the buildings on site.

4.1.2 Commuting and Foraging

Low levels of common pipistrelle commuting activity was observed throughout the dusk survey around

the WARC building. Slightly higher levels of commuting and foraging activity from common pipistrelles,

Nathusius/Kuhl’s pipistrelle and a Serotine bat were observed around the asbestos buildings but still

activity levels were still considered to be low. The immediate surrounding hardstanding areas for both

of the buildings are considered to be of negligible value to commuting and foraging bats, which are

likely to use the wider surrounding habitat to the west: the woodland area.



4.2 Birds

4.2.1 During the IEA, the site was assessed as being of high suitability for nesting birds, with the buildings on

site being assessed as providing suitable habitat for nesting house sparrows (which were observed

within the large shrubs / trees on site) and suitable habitat for nesting gull species, with herring gulls

confirmed to be nesting on the roof of the WARC building.

4.2.2 During the further bat activity survey, herring gulls and greater black-backed gull were confirmed to

be nesting on the roof of the Asbestos buildings.

4.2.3 During breeding bird surveys which have been undertaken on site (May 2021) (results of which will be

provided in a separate report at a later date), 5+ herring gull nests and 2 Lesser black-backed gull

nests were observed on the roofs of multiple buildings on site, particularly on the buildings to the north.

4.2.4 No house sparrows were observed nesting in the WARC or asbestos buildings during the further bat

activity survey however, it is still expected that nesting house sparrows are present on site.

4.2.5 As breeding birds are confirmed present, mitigation measures, in the form of timing of works for the

demolition of the buildings and the removal of large shrubs / trees will be required. Further details can

be found in Section 6.1.

5 FURTHER SURVEY REQUIREMENTS

5.1.1 It is felt that the dusk emergence surveys undertaken at the Overdale Hospital Buildings is sufficient to

gain a sound understanding of the use of this site by bats, and thus no further survey effort is required

for bats or birds provided that work commences within 18 - 24 months of the survey completion date

(14/06/21). After this time, further survey may be required, as per Appendix 4.

6 MITIGATION MEASURES

6.1 Breeding Birds

6.1.1 As breeding birds are present (herring gulls, greater black-backed gulls and lesser black-backed gulls)

and assumed present (house sparrows), mitigation measures for protected bird species are required.

The removal of any trees / large shrubs and the demolition of the Overdale Hospital Buildings should

ideally commence between October – February inclusive to avoid the breeding bird season.



6.2 Roof strip

6.2.1 Although no roosting bats were found during the surveys of the Overdale Hospital Buildings, there is

always a small possibility that roosting bats could be uncovered during roof-stripping works and as

such, these works should therefore be undertaken with care. If a bat is found, works must stop and

Land Resource Management should be contacted for further advice (Tel: 01534 445508).

7 REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

o Collins (2016) Bat Conservation Trust (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists – Good Practice

Guidelines, 3rd edition, London

o Government of Jersey (2021). Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021;

https://www.jerseylaw.je/laws/enacted/Pages/L-04-2021.aspx#_Toc73110402

o Environmental Management Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment (IEEM 2006);

http://www.ieem.net/ecia-guidelines- terrestrial-

o Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2004) Bat Workers Manual

o States of Jersey Biodiversity Action Plans;

http://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Environment%20an

d%20greener%20living/ID%20BiodiversityActionPlan%20DM.pdf



APPENDIX 1: JUSTIFICATION OF BAT SURVEY EFFORT Taken from Table 4.1 (pg. 35), Table 7.2 (pg. 51) and Table 7.3 (pg.52) of the Bat Conservation Trust

‘Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists’ Good Practice Guidelines (3rd Edition).

During the Preliminary Roost Inspection, the suitability of structures on site for roosting bats, is assessed

using table 4.1 below:

Dusk / Dawn emergence survey effort is guided by suitability, as determined during the Preliminary

Ecological Assessment, using Table 4.1.

Timing of emergence / re-entry surveys required, based on the suitability assessment made during

earlier assessments (see Page 51 table 7.1):



Number of emergence / re-entry surveys required, based on the suitability assessment made during

earlier assessments (see Page 52 table 7.3):



APPENDIX 2 BAT SURVEY RESULTS: SURVEY MAPS

DUSK EMERGENCE SURVEY

N

Key

Emergence (s)

Commuting

Foraging

Surveyor Location WARC Building

Asbestos Building



Survey Details Survey: Survey 1 dusk Date: 14/06/21 Time start / finish: 21:00-22:45 Sunset time: 21:15 Weather Conditions Start: Bright, light breeze Finish: Clear, light breeze Cloud cover (%age) 10% 10% Temperature (°C) 18.0 16.7 Wind NW F2 (1.5km/h locally) NW F2 (1.7km/h locally) Humidity (%) 81% 86% Precipitation None None Surveyors

Bat Activity; Emergence; None Foraging; Common pipistrelle Commuting; Common pipistrelle, Serotine and Nathusius/Kuhl’s pipistrelle. Time 1st bat recorded; 22:16 – common pipistrelle

Additional notes: Herring gulls and Great Black Backed gull seen nesting on the asbestos buildings. Lots of herring gull activity observed. Very infrequent common pipistrelle activity observed around the WARC building. More frequent activity recorded around the asbestos buildings but still low levels. Streetlights along road side of WARC building and downlights along the building.



APPENDIX 3 EVIDENCE OF COMPETENCE OF ECOLOGIST (S) Evidence of Competence This ecological survey and report has been undertaken by Nurture Ecology Ltd; a fully registered and insured Ecological Consultancy Company. Nurture Ecology staff involved in the field-work, data input & analysis, mapping and report write-up include;



APPENDIX 4 LIFESPAN OF ECOLOGICAL REPORTS AND SURVEYS CIEEM (April 2019) Advice Note on the Lifespan of Ecological Reports & Surveys

Appendix G2 – Overdale Buildings Bat Survey Results Report

Documents

Transcript of Appendix G2 – Overdale Buildings Bat Survey Results Report