New bat boxes put up in Priory Park
News release dated 22 November 2006 about bat boxes put up in Priory Park as part of the restoration project.
Bat boxes were put up in Priory Park on Monday (20 November 2006) in advance of preparatory works for the park's £6.6m restoration makeover.
Nine bat boxes of different types, suitable for brown long eared bats and hibernating bats, have been erected in three trees in the park’s eastern tree belt to act as alternative roosting sites for the animals.
The siting of the boxes was directed by an ecologist to ensure they are located in the best place.
As part of the restoration of Priory Park the World War II air raid shelter, just south of the car park, is to be demolished to allow for improvements to the layout of Bell Street car park.
Some trees are also being removed as part of the enhancement works, including some poplar trees near to the air raid shelter and two partly fallen trees overhanging the lake.
A survey of bat activity showed that a single brown long eared bat was recorded using the air raid shelter in October 2005, however successive surveys have shown no further evidence of bats.
This is probably because the shelter is not ideal as a hibernating or summer roost because of its openness and over-shading, and the absence of cracks and crevices for bats.
No bats were found to be using the trees ear-marked for removal.
As bats are a protected species by law, the council had to secure a licence from DEFRA to carry out the preparatory works and make sure that any bats are suitably provided for.
Bat boxes have been put into trees close to the air raid shelter in advance of its demolition to provide alternative roost sites and the work is being done in Autumn, before the main contract, so as to cause less disturbance to any bats which might be trying to roost in the area.
Prior to the shelter demolition and tree removal, a further inspection will be carried out to confirm that there are still no bats using the shelter or trees to be removed.
Assuming no bats are found, the air raid shelter and trees will be removed under supervision of a specialist bat worker.
If bats are recorded when further investigation is carried out, which is considered very unlikely, works will stop and the licence will need to be amended and resubmitted to DEFRA, with the details of the works modified accordingly.
The demolition of the air raid shelter is scheduled for the end of November.
It is anticipated that the contractor for carrying out the restoration work is expected to be appointed in January 2007, with works starting on site in Spring 2007 and finishing in Spring 2008.
The multi-million Priory Park project aims to restore park's historic landscape whilst also incorporating modern leisure facilities.
Plans for the park include restoring the formal gardens around the Priory building and reinstatement of tree lined avenues to recreate the 18th century landscape.
Wildlife will benefit from significant work to the lake and sensitive woodland management.
Some of the exciting new facilities include a water play area and a children’s play area based on a nautical theme, and a new teenage area with skateboard and basketball facilities.
The plans also include a new glass pavilion close to all these facilities, which will provide a café, toilets and information space for the park.
The Priory Park restoration project has received backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund, who have granted £4.2m towards the scheme, as well as commercial support from local businesses Legal & General, Parador Properties, Canon (UK) Ltd, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Fidelity International and Charles Church.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
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