Bats in Churches
As you may be aware, Natural England have recently published a Technical Information Note Bats in Churches: a management guide. Both English Heritage and the CCC contributed something to the text though the final Note is Natural England's. The Note can be downloaded here:
The Note is intended as a summary of the legal position for architects, churchwardens and the like. Although it outlines in general terms the range of possible solutions available to churches, it does not attempt to offer detailed advice, as so much will be site specific. Indeed, notwithstanding there are an estimated 6,400 bat roosts in churches and chapels, there are very few case studies, good or bad, available to assist parishes.
With that in mind, English Heritage, Natural England and the CCC would like to take a more detailed look at local experiences, both with a view to identifying case studies, successful and unsuccessful, to inform parishes and to provide a firm evidence base for future discussions between the different interested bodies about any ongoing problems. We will be approaching the Bat Conservation Trust (who have conducted a survey in which 75% of respondents indicated they welcomed bats; 12% that they had concerns) for their experiences and those of local bat groups. However, it is essential to hear from churches and we would welcome the experiences of those with bat roosts where:
- Recommended mitigation/management techniques have been applied, successfully or not
- Relocation of bat roosts has been allowed
- Repair/maintenance work has been detrimentally affected/delayed (whether grant funded or not)
- Grants have been placed at risk.
We would aim to draw these together at around the time of the DAC Conference in late September 2008, with a view to examining them in more detail in the Autumn and possibly to sponsoring further research thereafter. The intention is not in the first instance to look for a change in the law but to try to establish: the extent of any problems; the awareness, practicality and effectiveness of the options generally suggested to parishes; and what other steps, if any, need to be taken to help parishes manage bat roosts in their churches.
If you are aware of churches which would serve as good examples, please could you let us know. We would be happy to make a direct approach if you could supply a local contact. Please reply to Johanna Roethe (johanna.roethe@c-of-e.org.uk).
