\n Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour and his wife Polly Samson are seeking to restore and convert four timber-framed outbuildings at their Grade-II listed 17th-century farmhouse near Billingshurst, according to multiple national news outlets.\n<\/p>\n
\n The barns are described as “decaying”, with one requiring “urgent structural attention to prevent collapse”.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, an ecological impact assessment, commissioned as part of the planning process, has identified seven bat roosts across the site, three of which would be lost during the proposed works.\n<\/p>\n
\n Under UK law, bats and their roosts are protected, meaning that damaging or disturbing them without a licence is an offence.\n<\/p>\n
\n One of the affected barns at Mr Gilmour’s property (Image: Pullen Architecture)\n<\/p>\n
\n According to the ecological report, a European Protected Species Mitigation Licence must be obtained from Natural England to lawfully destroy, damage, or cause obstruction to the bat roosts.\n<\/p>\n
\n Bat droppings were found in three out of the four barns, with DNA analysis confirming the presence of soprano pipistrelle, brown long-eared, barbastelle, whiskered and Natterer\u2019s species.\n<\/p>\n
\n Bat droppings were found in three of the barns proposed for conversion (Image: Pullen Architecture)\n<\/p>\n
\n The outbuildings include a former threshing barn, animal sheds, stables, and a cart barn.\n<\/p>\n
\n Several mitigation measures at the site have been proposed including the installation of bat boxes, the use of bat-friendly roofing membranes, and the inclusion of bat access tiles in the final scheme.\n<\/p>\n
\n Additional ecological constraints on the site include nesting birds, reptiles, great crested newts, and hedgehogs.\n<\/p>\n
\n The proposals also incorporate mitigation for these species, including timing restrictions to avoid disturbance during sensitive periods and the retention of key habitats.\n<\/p>\n
\n The plans have not yet been decided upon by Horsham District Council.\n<\/p>\n