Menu
Since moving to this place ten years ago it has been my hope to create a large workroom in what was a triple garage attached to the house, and with the expansion of my work the opportunity to do the conversion has been given to me: the money and the permissions are in place, but the obstacle lies in the bat colony which lives most happily in its walls. Rightly, it is forbidden to disturb bats and their roosts, and I will need a professional survey and guidance on “mitigation” to achieve the bat licences, UK and EU, required to carry out the alterations.
Having seen the numbers of bats that have made my garage their home, I am concerned that whatever adjustments are made to the plans to accommodate their welfare, they will be disturbed to a greater or lesser extent by the building work, however carefully it is carried out, and I find myself in a dilemma between pressing on, legally, with a long-held plan or abandoning it altogether to ensure total continuity and peace for the Soprano Pipistrelles. Natural Resources Wales has been most helpful in putting together a strategy and arranging the survey, which I hope will take place soon, and then I will have to decide what to do, based on their findings and requirements. However, if it comes to a choice, then there is no choice.
[byline]]]>
If you enjoyed this article and found it helpful, please pass it on to anyone you feel may be interested to read it too.
You can register here if you would like to receive my blogs and newsletters regularly via email.
I am a spiritual teacher, channel and writer with a special interest in esoteric philosophy and the world in transition, who loves nature and wildlife. My aim is to help your human and soul journey through spiritual wisdom, spiritual connection and the raising of consciousness.
OtG'day, Claire!
Love the cat pic. 🙂
Understand the dilemma. Don't let it drive you batty.:-)
Questions, please:
Is your home considered a historic place?
If not, what kind of building permit would you need that will both give you more space for your work whilst doing little to disturb your bats?
Best,
William
Thank you as always for your interest, William. No, my home is not historic in the accepted sense, but needs a "Building Notice" for the work to be approved, which in itself is not a problem. The bat survey is voluntary on my part and takes place next week, determining if and when and how the work can be done with minimal disturbance to the bats. I will know more then, and will find another solution for my work if necessary - what I am not quite sure!
Surely you can do what you want in winter, when they're hibernating?
Thank you, Mark. You are right, of course - but it is a blessing and also - in the case of building work - a problem that while some of my bat colony disperses in the autumn to hibernate elsewhere, a lot of the bats overwinter here! So the same care has to be taken by me whatever the time of year.