As site clearance work begins at Bridgwater & Taunton College’s Cannington Centre in readiness for the construction of the new National College for Nuclear, all attention is focused on the future welfare of a former resident of College-owned Montgomery House.

An ecological survey of the Cannington site conducted in the summer revealed evidence of bat feeding across the site and the existence of a single long-eared bat, resident in the Montgomery House roof. College staff and Midas construction workers alike have taken him to their hearts, affectionately nick-naming him Kevin.

An application was successfully made to Natural England to offer Kevin alternative accommodation in a number of special new bat boxes in the area, and meanwhile the roof of Montgomery House has been carefully dismantled, single tile by single tile, to minimise disruption to Kevin’s daily life.

The new bat boxes have now been put in place and are ready to welcome Kevin and his fellow bats to their new homes. Students on the College’s land-based programmes will be keeping a watchful eye on their future progress and welfare.

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