Birds, Bats and Newts – Wildlife in Historic Buildings

Historic buildings often provide more than architectural interest. Over time they can become valuable habitats for wildlife. Roof spaces, stone walls, timber structures and quiet corners offer shelter for many species that have gradually adapted to living alongside people.

For owners of historic buildings this can sometimes come as a surprise. During repair or alteration work it is not unusual to discover birds nesting in the eaves, bats roosting in roof spaces, or amphibians such as newts living in nearby ponds.

In most cases the presence of wildlife does not prevent repair work from taking place. However, wildlife protection laws and planning requirements mean that work may need to be planned carefully. Understanding the legal position helps ensure that projects proceed smoothly while protecting both the building and the species that may depend on it.

Why historic buildings attract wildlife

Older buildings often contain features that modern construction does not.

Loose roof tiles, small openings beneath ridge tiles, stone walls with natural cavities and large timber roof structures all provide sheltered spaces where animals can nest or roost. Barns, churches and traditional farm buildings are particularly attractive because they offer quiet areas with little disturbance.

Gardens surrounding historic buildings can also provide suitable habitats. Mature trees, ponds, hedgerows and undisturbed areas often support birds, bats, amphibians and insects.

Over time these conditions can create stable habitats that wildlife relies on. Many species have adapted to using buildings as substitutes for natural features such as caves, cliffs or hollow trees.

Because of this, historic buildings often play an important role in supporting biodiversity within the wider landscape.

Birds and historic buildings

Birds are the wildlife most commonly encountered in buildings.

Species such as swallows, house martins and swifts frequently nest beneath eaves or inside roof spaces. Many of these birds return to the same nesting site every year and may occupy buildings for generations.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to intentionally damage, destroy or disturb an active bird’s nest while it is in use.

This means that building work which would disturb nesting birds must normally be delayed until the breeding season has finished. In the United Kingdom the main nesting period usually runs from spring through early summer, although exact timing varies between species.

Once the young birds have fledged and the nest is no longer in use, maintenance work can usually proceed.

Some species are of particular conservation concern. Swifts, for example, have declined significantly in recent decades and rely heavily on buildings for nesting sites. For this reason planning authorities sometimes encourage the inclusion of swift boxes or nesting spaces when buildings are repaired or renovated.

Bats and historic buildings

Bats are especially associated with older buildings.

Roof spaces, barns, church towers and timber-framed structures can provide ideal roosting conditions. These spaces are often dark, quiet and undisturbed, making them attractive to several bat species.

In the United Kingdom all bats and their roosts are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

This protection means that it is illegal to:

• deliberately harm or capture bats

• damage or destroy a bat roost

• block access to a bat roost

• disturb bats while they are using a roost
  

Importantly, a roost remains legally protected even when bats are not present at that moment. Many bat species use different roosts at different times of the year.

If bats are suspected to be present in a building, an ecological survey is usually required before major repair work is carried out. These surveys are normally undertaken by licensed ecologists.

In many cases the presence of bats does not prevent repair work. Instead, the work may need to be scheduled at certain times of year or designed so that bats can continue to access suitable roosting areas.

Newts and the surrounding environment

While birds and bats often use buildings directly, amphibians such as newts are more commonly associated with the surrounding landscape.

The great crested newt is a protected species that often lives in ponds, ditches or damp habitats near historic properties. These animals spend much of the year on land but return to ponds during the breeding season.

If building work affects ponds, drainage systems or nearby habitats where newts may be present, ecological surveys may be required before work proceeds.

Where newts are present, mitigation measures may be required. These could include creating new pond habitats, relocating animals under licence, or adjusting the timing of work to avoid sensitive periods.

Other protected wildlife

Several other protected species may occasionally be associated with historic buildings or their surroundings.

Owls

Barn owls sometimes occupy barns, towers and other traditional agricultural buildings. Like all birds, their nests are protected while in use.

Dormice

In woodland areas of England, hazel dormice may inhabit hedgerows, outbuildings or roof spaces near woodland. Dormice are fully protected species and disturbing them or their nests without a licence is illegal.

Badgers

Badgers are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Their underground setts are legally protected, and construction work affecting a sett may require specialist advice and licensing.

Reptiles

Common reptiles such as grass snakes, slow worms and lizards may be found in gardens or walls around historic buildings. While they are not protected in the same way as bats or newts, they are protected from deliberate harm and should be considered during construction work.

Planning requirements and ecological surveys

Wildlife protection is often addressed during the planning or Listed Building Consent process.

When a planning application is submitted for work to a historic building, the local authority may require an ecological assessment if there is a possibility that protected species are present.

An ecologist may inspect roof spaces, examine surrounding habitats or carry out surveys at particular times of the year.

If protected species are identified, the planning authority may impose conditions requiring mitigation measures. These might include:

• carrying out work outside sensitive breeding seasons

• installing bat boxes or bird nesting spaces

• retaining access points used by bats

• protecting nearby habitats such as ponds

In some cases a separate wildlife licence may be required before work can begin.

When wildlife becomes a pest

While many species are protected, historic buildings can also attract animals that become pests.

Older structures often contain gaps, cavities and sheltered areas that can support infestations if they are not properly maintained.

Common pest species include:

• pigeons nesting in roof voids

• rats and mice entering through gaps

• squirrels damaging roof timbers

• insects such as wasps or cluster flies
  

These animals can cause structural damage, hygiene issues or health risks if infestations become severe.

The legal position on pest control

The law distinguishes between protected wildlife and pest species.

Protected animals such as bats, dormice and great crested newts cannot be harmed or disturbed without the appropriate licences. However, common pest species can usually be controlled provided this is done humanely and legally.

For example:

• rats and mice may be controlled using traps or pest management systems

• pigeons may be deterred using netting or spikes

• grey squirrels may be controlled where they cause damage to property

• wasp nests may be removed if they pose a risk

Professional pest control services are often used where infestations become significant.

Preventing infestations

Preventative maintenance is usually the most effective way to manage pest species.

Typical measures include:

• repairing gaps in roofs or walls

• installing discreet mesh over ventilation openings

• maintaining gutters and rooflines

• controlling vegetation near the building

• sealing unused access points into roof spaces
  

Where protected species are present, care must be taken not to block access points that wildlife relies on.

Health and safety considerations

Working in areas where wildlife has been present can also create health and safety risks.

Bird droppings and debris from nests can create dust that may irritate the lungs if inhaled. Protective equipment such as masks, gloves and eye protection should be used when working in roof spaces or loft areas.

Roof spaces may also contain fragile ceilings, uneven surfaces or exposed wiring. Safe access and careful working practices are essential.

Where wildlife surveys are required, they should be carried out by qualified specialists familiar with both ecological and safety procedures.

Environmental benefits

Although wildlife can sometimes complicate building repairs, it also reflects the ecological value of historic buildings.

Traditional structures often provide habitats that are increasingly rare in modern landscapes. Swifts, bats and other species depend on the gaps and cavities found in older buildings.

By maintaining historic buildings carefully, owners often contribute to biodiversity as well as heritage conservation.

In many cases small design adjustments allow buildings to continue providing habitat without affecting their structural integrity.

Fire safety considerations

Wildlife protection and fire safety occasionally interact in historic buildings. Roof spaces that provide habitats for bats or birds may also contain electrical equipment, insulation materials or structural timbers that form part of the building’s fire safety strategy. Following the Grenfell Tower fire, building regulators have increased scrutiny of roof and wall construction in some building types. When repairs are carried out in areas used by wildlife, the work must therefore balance ecological protection, heritage conservation and fire safety requirements.

The Longnor Heritage approach

At Longnor Heritage we recognise that historic buildings form part of a wider environment that includes wildlife as well as architecture.

When repair or alteration work is planned, we consider both heritage requirements and ecological responsibilities. Where protected species may be present, appropriate surveys and mitigation measures can be arranged so that work proceeds lawfully and responsibly.

With careful planning, historic buildings can continue to provide shelter for wildlife while remaining safe, durable and comfortable places for people to use.

Heritage conservation and environmental stewardship often go hand in hand, and historic buildings are one of the places where that relationship can be seen most clearly.