Project example
Cornwall Regeneration Project
Engineering consolidation of historic mine structures
Client: Cornwall County Council
Contract value: £17,600
Key Services: baseline bat survey; protected species licensing; mitigation
As a part of the East Cornwall Regeneration Project, a number of historic mine structures in the Tamar Valley were subject to engineering works to preserve them and enable the area to be opened for public access. Former chimneys, engine houses and other structures with thick stone walls had deteriorating wooden lintels and no roofs. Where mortar had fallen out cavities suitable for roosting bats (and nesting birds) had been created.
Whilst our surveys found no large bat colonies, small numbers or individual bats could not be ruled out and a precautionary approach to works was agreed with the county ecologist. This involved our licensed bat ecologists working ahead of engineers undertaking re-pointing; crevices were checked for bats and birds with a fiber-optic endoscope and many were temporarily blocked or fitted with ‘exclusion devices’ to ensure that bats within could exit but not re-enter. Where structurally feasible, crevices were retained, ensuring there was no loss of nature conservation value.