Application 13-15-00009
From: Phillips, Barry (NE)
Sent: 28 May 2015 19:26
To: Laura Covington
Cc: Larry Burrows; Rebecca Miller
Subject: [OFFICIAL] - RE: Cannington bat surveys
Dear Laura,
Are you able to confirm yet that the first monthly bat activity survey will be undertaken in June?
Regards,
Barry Phillips
Sustainable Development
Natural England
Somerset, Avon & Wiltshire
www.gov.uk/natural-england
We are here to secure a healthy natural environment for people to
enjoy, where wildlife is protected and England’s traditional landscapes
are safeguarded for future generations
From: Phillips, Barry (NE)
Sent: 22 May 2015 17:42
To: Laura Covington
Subject: RE: Cannington bat surveys
Dear Laura,
Yes, I have recommended to Sedgemoor District Council that a programme of bat activity surveys is conditioned as
part of the planning permission with the purpose of monitoring the use of the application site by all species of bats
(including Barbastelle Bats: if detected) to provide data to modify mitigation measures if necessary.
The bat activity transect surveys should be undertaken on a monthly basis from June to September, and extending to
October if mild conditions prevail. As I believe the construction programme is planned to continue until the end of
September (?) it would be a good idea to plan for a survey in October if bats are likely to be active across the area.
The BCT Survey Guidelines should be followed. The precise timing of surveys should be dictated by weather
conditions rather than fixed dates, i.e. if weather are conditions are unsuitable then a short delay is acceptable
provided data is captured each month. A brief report should be sent to SDC, NE and Larry Burrows monthly with a
full report at the end of the period. If the work is sub-contracted, please let us know which consultancy will
undertake the work.
Detailed technical questions on methodology should be addressed to Larry and copied to me.
Regards,
Barry Phillips
Sustainable Development
Natural England
Somerset, Avon & Wiltshire
www.gov.uk/natural-england
We are here to secure a healthy natural environment for people to
enjoy, where wildlife is protected and England’s traditional landscapes
are safeguarded for future generations
From: Laura Covington
Sent: 21 May 2015 13:55
To: Phillips, Barry (NE)
Subject: Cannington bat surveys
Dear Barry
We have received a copy of your letter to Sedgemoor District Council regarding the HRA recently produced by Larry
Burrows. We are pleased to see that you are happy with the conclusions of the HRA. We also note your
requirement for bat surveys, pre-during and post construction.
Can you confirm that you are requesting bat activity surveys? What level of survey effort would meet this
requirement? Would you be happy with one survey before construction, one during construction and one after
construction, or would you prefer to see monthly surveys for the period June-September 2015? In the second
situation, how many post construction surveys would be appropriate?
Kind regards
Laura
Laura Covington, BSc (Hons), MSc, CEnv, MCIEEM.
Senior Environmental Consultant, Water and Land Group