Maple Roofing

Maple are totally committed to the Preservation and Conservation of all Wildlife and would like to provide a case study which clearly shows our obligation and dedication towards the Environment.

The project was to convert / part re-build an existing set of Barns into an attractive dwelling in Wrabness, Essex.

Following three Bat Surveys, the barns were found to house many Protected Bats of different species. Early discussions then took place between Liz Brooks of Natural England and the Design Team and Contracts Manager from Maple to establish the way forward to protect and provide new roosting positions for the Bats.

Works commenced and we carefully removed the existing roof coverings. Each time a Bat was found, it was carefully removed from its roosting position and placed into a small carrying box. After the existing roof coverings were completely removed and no more Bats were found, Liz Brooks then took the Bats away and came back that night to release them.

The Bats could not roost again within the Barn as it was left open ready for Roof repairs etc. While the conversion was taking place, we had many conversations regarding how we would allow the Bats to enter the Barn, once completed, and to allow them to roost and possibly hibernate in the future. After many discussions and suggestions, Liz Brooks and the Clients gave us their full approval and support to carry out the following solution – Small areas of Mortar were removed when new ridges were bedded onto the roof which allowed the Bats to access the void under the ridges, as shown on the photographs.

To allow the Bat’s to travel along the ridge line, small sections of tube were bedded in the butt joint mortar (see photograph) to allow them to travel as far or as little as they liked as the whole ridge line would be accessible. We also put a small wooden peg known as a Clothes Peg Ventilator, between the top lap of felt so if the bats wished to, they could crawl down the felt under the top line of battens and back up between the felt, thus giving them access to a small void which was insulated but access to the house could not be made. So Bat’s and Human’s could share the same residence and same advantages but have no disadvantages to each other. We have also found that this system has no weather implications to either party and to the eye, when looking from the outside there is no visible impact and there is also no impact to the internal surfaces/finishes.

We at Maple believe in preserving our Wildlife and will always endeavour to work closely with Environmental and Conservation sections to protect various species as we can.

Attached is a testimonial from Liz Brook’s at Natural England: