You may or maybe not know that there is a specially constructed BatHouse in the village. It’s located in the North-East corner of the upper park. Built over a decade ago by the developers, it was part of the planning requirement and yet has never had any bats roosting in it.
Sadly, it has been the victim of repeated vandalism. Historically the cost of repair and maintenance has been passed on via Meadfleet to householders in the village. We managed to put a stop to the expensive maintenance back in 2018 but it’s still our responsibility to keep it safe and habitable for the non-existant bats.
We have been trying for 18 months to secure a more tenable long-term solution for both the bats and residents. To this end, we have the backing of the developers, management company, and the local council to remove the planning required for a fixed building and replace with tree-based bat boxes. Not only will this remove the need for the building (and the liability of upkeep) but also provide more bat-friendly accommodation.
There are still a few more hoops to jump through but once the planning requirement is removed, we plan to demolish the bathouse, remove the waste and return the space to its former wild state. Demolition and removal have a cost; cost estimates range from £4,000 to £10,000 in total. This equates to £15 to £40 per household as a one-off charge.
We propose to continue the process of removing the planning requirement, once completed we will leave the bathouse as is until such time as it requires further work or maintenance. Only then would we recommend paying to have it removed.
As the demolition and removal costs will be added to your bi-annual management bill, we’re seeking the thoughts of the village before we agree on the final plan with the council and the management company. So, would you be happy to pay a one-off charge of £15-£40 to see the back of the bathouse and any future maintenance liabilities? Or would you rather continue to pay maintenance as and when it’s required? Email us your thoughts on FHVRAmail@gmail.com
Sean Kelly, for and on behalf of FHVRA.
