Up to 74 bats found on Limerick site earmarked for student halls

UP TO 74 bats have been spotted in the vicinity of a site planned for a major new student accommodation site, a study has revealed.

Five unique species of the winged creature have been identified on land fronting Groody Road and Dublin Road in Castletroy. It is here where developers want to build a multi-million euro complex, which will provide 1,400 student beds.

Five blocks will tower up between five and eight storeys, with the complex also expected to provide a library, student union, laundry room and two canteens.

Council planners who are deliberating on the scheme, requested the developer carry out a bat survey, and information around the impact the student development could have. Following this, Groody Developments appointed Russell Environmental and Sustainability Services Limited to carry out a full dawn and dusk survey in late April this year.

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Between 39 and 74 bats were recorded on site, the consultants have said, with the lower figure being “the more realistic” number of bats spotted.

The most common species spotted was the soprano pipistrelle, with between 15 and 30 sightings. The common pipistrelle accounted for between 13 and 26 spots. And the Leisler’s Bat was clocked between seven and 14 times. There was one sighting of a brown long-eared bat, and three of a Daubenton’s bat.

The consultants hired by the developer have recommended any small tree removal of undergrowth cutting back should take place during the bat hibernation period between November 1 and May 1.

“Bat sensitive lighting should be implemented for this development and during construction, all lighting should be directed away from the tree-lines and watercourses,” they recommend.

However, the consultants have insisted that it’s unlikely bat roots will be lost due to the fact they all appear to be located outside the footprint of the development.

Planners from Limerick City and County Council last week went back to the developer for more information. Once this is received, a date for a decision on the project will be announced.

There has been some opposition to the overall development, with Environmental Trust Ireland, whose president is city solicitor Michelle Hayes, asking council to refuse permission for the development.

The group stated the development “displays a complete disregard for biodiversity loss and the ecological crisis.” But there’s also been broad support for the concept of purpose-built student accommodation.

Last year, a survey carried out by University of Limerick’s student union revealed more than 35% of its members were being forced to commute long distances to college.