Wildlife Officer Bat Timing Letter

Isle of Man Government

Reiltys-Elian Vannin

Miss EJ Callow Secretary to the Planning Committee DoLGE Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas

Wildlife and Conservation Division, Knockaloe Farm, Peel, Isle of Man, IM5 3AJ Telephone: (01624) 843109 (01624) 695740 direct line Fax: (01624) 844374 e-mail: [email protected]

Chief Wildlife and Conservation Officer: Elizabeth Charter, MSc, MIEEM, CEnv, MCMI

16th January 2008

Dear Miss Callow,

PA 07/2297 Remove chimney at Kewaigue School

I have visited this site and agreed recommendations with the Department of Education Works Division. My recommendation is that the work is done at Easter (late March/early April). More than 1 week is necessary to ensure that the work can be completed in the school holidays and Christmas is not an option for building work. The May-August period is known to be an active period for bats at this site and should be avoided if possible, otherwise a bat exclusion would be required during the pupping season (May-August). Easter is therefore the best time. This would require an extension to the timing condition if consent were forthcoming.

If the work receives consent, I suggest the following condition. The works may take place only after the end of August and must be completed by the end of April.

It is understood that the chimney would be removed to just below the roofline and left open at the top within the roof, so that there is no chance of trapping bats that may find their way in.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Richard G Selman Wildlife & Conservation Officer (Zoologist)