The bat survey commissioned ahead of the proposed building work found “bat activity levels in the immediate vicinity of the building complex were moderate, and the surrounding habitats supported foraging and dispersal by a diverse assemblage of bat species”.
Other types of bats found included brown long-eared, noctule and Leisler’s. Serotine were also occasionally seen within the same area.
A protected species development licence would be required from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), in order to carry out the proposed barn conversion.
The report said this must be done alongside “appropriate measures” to prevent harm of the bat species concerned.
Without doing so, Hammond would be unable to carry out his plans to renovate the barn.
“The habitats on site at The Pentre support a diverse assemblage of bat species, providing essential foraging and commuting resources to local bat populations and connectivity with the wider environment, which is also of high suitability to bats,” the survey said.
It said “loss of or disturbance” to roosts, external in trees on the grounds, which provide shelter for bats, would result in “adverse effects” on the local populations of two common and widespread species.
In Britain, all bat species and their roosts are legally protected, by law, external, meaning it is an offence to kill, injure, take or disturb a bat, or to destroy, damage, obstruct or otherwise interfere with a bat roost, breeding site or resting place.
NRW said it has not received an application for a protected species development licence at this stage, but Hammond confirmed plans to go through the process.
