The Barracks
Client: VICO Homes - Location: Pontefract
Services Used
Species Found
Bats
Urban Ecology & Residential Buildings
Whitcher Wildlife Ltd regularly supports local authorities and their appointed contractors ahead of large-scale re-roofing and refurbishment programmes, often involving hundreds of council-owned properties. While many urban properties offer limited opportunities for roosting bats, this is not always the case, particularly where buildings are set within greener, more wooded surroundings. This was very much the situation at a group of residential blocks known as The Barracks in Pontefract.
Bat Surveys & Roost Assessments
The site is relatively tree-lined and surrounded by established vegetation, creating suitable foraging habitat for bats. Combined with decorative hanging tiles on the gable walls, this provided ideal roosting opportunities. Dusk emergence surveys confirmed regular bat activity beneath many of the tiles, as well as within other parts of the buildings. In total, around 26 common pipistrelle day roosts were identified across the blocks, highlighting the ecological value of the site.
Balancing Ecology & Housing Improvements
Whitcher Wildlife Ltd secured a licence from Natural England to allow works to proceed during the winter period, when the risk of disturbance was lowest. Mitigation measures were carefully designed to ensure roosting opportunities were retained following the works, while enabling essential refurbishment to go ahead. This approach ensured bats were protected while allowing improvements to be made that enhanced the safety and energy efficiency of the homes for residents.