The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) launched a guide advising developers, planners and other members of the public how they could help fight the decline of the bat which is a European protected species.
Catherine Higgins, Scientific Officer, NIEA, said the ‘Bats And Development’ booklet was aimed at ensuring the bat population was not adversely affected by construction work.
She said: "All bats and their roosts are protected by law as a response to the rapid decline in numbers during the last century.
“Development, modern agriculture and public misconceptions have all contributed to this decline. As Northern Ireland's only flying mammal they are one of our great natural pest controllers.
“We are lucky to have eight species of bats here but they need our help!
"This booklet aims to provide basic advice and information to developers, planning officers and members of the public that may come across bat issues relating to planning."
The booklet explains the basic biology and ecology of bats and sets out a vision for how bats and people can benefit from each other.
Advice is provided on the likely impacts of unconsidered development on bats. It also proposes measures to protect all bat species from the possible negative consequences of building work, allowing development to continue whilst protecting and conserving bat habitats.
Each species has its own lifestyle and habitat requirements and, as every species of bat is different, the potential impacts can be specific to each one.
The measures, which the booklet suggests could be adopted on sites containing bat habitats, include:
- Retaining lines of mature vegetation;
- Retaining water features and keeping open watercourses within the site;
- Retaining areas of woodland;
- Planning lighting during construction and ensuring lighting does not illuminate any woodland, lines of mature vegetation or water features;
- Providing artificial roosting sites in the form of bat boxes on buildings and trees;
- Planting native species of trees and shrubs and, for grassland areas, using native wildflower seed mix.
Notes to Editors:
1. Bats and Development booklet
Or alternatively write to the address below
NIEA
Countryside and Coast Unit
2nd Floor
Klondyke building
Cromac Avenue
Gasworks Business Park
Belfast, BT7 2JA
Email: nieaplan@doeni.gov.uk Phone: 028 9056 9615
2. There are 8 Species of bats in Northern Ireland
Species Size Preferred roost site
Whiskered Bat smallest BCT
Natterer’s Bat medium BCT
Daubenton’s Bat medium BCT
Leisler’s Bat largest BT
Common Pipistrelle small BT
Soprano Pipistrelle small BT
Nathusius’s Pipistrelle small BT
Brown long-eared Bat medium BT
B=buildings C=caves, mines, tunnels, bridges, etc T=trees
3. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
