Bats in Churches

Since 2017 AHP and Richard Halsey (subcontractor) have been working with the Church of England, Churches Conservation Trust, Natural England and other partners on the Bats in Churches project. This is a major NLHF-funded project which seeks to find ways of mitigating the harmful effect of bat urine and faeces on historic churches and their furnishings, while also recognising the protected status of bats and the importance of avoiding disturbance to habitats and roosts. AHP's contribution has included the preparation of Statements of Significance for 40 churches, including in each case an assessment of the impact of bats and, working with ecologists, suggesting possible solutions and mitigation. The photograph shows a temporary protective voile placed over a marble monument by John Rysbrack at the medieval church of St George, West Grinstead in Sussex.