Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf
CLIENT
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council/ Rhomco
SERVICES
PEA, PRA, Otter survey, Bat surveys, PS licence application, cological Clerk of Works.
DATE
March 2024
OVERVIEW:
Wildwood Ecology was commissioned by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and Preliminary Roost Assessment in relation to demolition of buildings within Pontypridd town centre. The buildings were located on a bridge directly over the Rhondda River, immediately adjacent to its confluence with the River Taff.
Wildwood Ecology carried out a PEA and PRA in July 2022. The preliminary surveys were followed by an otter survey in September 2022 and three bat emergence re-entry surveys of the buildings in July, August, and September 2022.
Although no bat roosts were confirmed in the buildings during surveys, an EPS bat licence was recommended for the works on a precautionary basis due to the very high hibernation suitability of the bridge below the site that would be subject to high levels of noise and vibration during works. The bridge could not be surveyed by aerial surveys due to H&S reasons as work at height over the river would be required, and similarly, parts of the bridge deck could not be observed directly during emergence surveys to avoid night-time work by surveyors on the banks of the river. Precautionary licence was therefore the most pragmatic solution as it was also considered likely that bats may use the buildings opportunistically due to the good habitat suitability of the adjacent river and park.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) agreed with our strategy during pre-application consultation, and the licence was approved without a further information request in June 2023.
An otter survey was carried out due to nearby known records and the high suitability of the adjacent River Taff and Rhondda River. Otter spraint was found at two locations underneath the bridge, directly below site. However, as no holts or lay-up sites were present, works could continue with precautionary working methods in place. This included requirements for no new or temporary lighting, restrictions on working hours, and pollution preventions measure to ensure run off from the works did not enter the river downstream from the site and impact the species that the river supports (e.g., fish, birds, otter).
Wildwood provided tailored support during the works as Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW), with ecologists delivering toolbox talks, supervising bat-sensitive works such as soft-demolition of roosting features and exclusion of bats under licence and carrying out nesting bird checks prior to works.
CHALLENGE:
The principal challenge was the high suitability of the bridge directly below the demolition site for a number of bat species, including for hibernating bats which are particularly sensitive and very vulnerable to disturbance. Frequent disturbance of hibernating bats may result in bats using up their fat reserves and not surviving hibernation, therefore, the demolition work methods had to attempt to minimise noise and vibration.
The height of the bridge structure and its position over the river limited access to adequately examine the large number of potential roost features present. Due to the likely lack of useful results and the H&S risk to surveyors due to the presence of fast-flowing river, it was not considered practical or safe to undertake hibernation surveys of the bridge and the presence of hibernating bats of crevice-dwelling species was therefore assumed.
To ensure that legislation was not triggered by the works, an EPS bat licence was required to detail timing constraints and safe working methods to avoid impacts on bat populations.
APPROACH:
Early communication with the client, Council Ecologist, and NRW was key. The client was made aware from the outset of the requirement for a bat licence and the likely timing/ working method constraints associated with the works.
OUTCOME:
The demolition was successfully carried out under licence in accordance with Wildwood Ecology’s method statement, expert ecology advice, and ECoW supervision where required.
Regular meetings were undertaken with Rhomco to provide advice during works and to ensure that any delays relating to ecology were avoided, and the demolition was achieved as per planned schedule.
“We have worked with Wildwood Ecology for several years across a variety of projects. They have always provided exceptional service and their insight, knowledge and guidance always adds enormous value to a scheme. They are proactive which helps ensure project programme can be maintained as well as protecting the client from any unwanted surprises. Their surveys are thorough, subsequent reporting is clear and of an excellent standard as well as always being delivered in line with the project requirements.
Their staff are an absolute joy to work with and they are always willing to give their time to discussion to help unlock project complexities and advise on the best route forwards. Wildwood Ecology have firmly established themselves as our preferred consultant and we have no hesitation in providing this referral.