A fangtastic new home for Wichelstowe’s bat population has officially opened — a specially designed bat cave forming part of a wider conservation initiative in Swindon.
The underground roost has been created to replace lost bat habitats following the removal of derelict farm buildings at Southleaze Farm, which had suffered repeated vandalism and fire damage. Those buildings had long provided shelter for common pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats. Before demolition, ecologists ensured all bats had safely moved on, and installed temporary bat boxes in nearby trees.
Now, the bats have a purpose-built subterranean refuge, designed to replicate the natural conditions they depend on. The new structure includes cavity walls, open flight spaces, and hanging areas that mimic caves and crevices. The surrounding area has been carefully landscaped to remain undisturbed, while a secure access point allows licensed ecologists to monitor activity.
Early signs are encouraging — surveys have already recorded bats exploring their new home.
The initiative is part of a comprehensive bat conservation strategy at Wichelstowe, developed in partnership with ecological consultancy Keystone. Measures across the 250-hectare development include:
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Planting and designing foraging corridors
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Installing bat hops and eco-passages over and under roads
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Creating rich foraging zones such as ponds, grasslands, orchards, and wetlands
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Installing around 100 bat boxes on buildings and mature trees
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Retaining and adapting veteran trees to form natural roosts
So far, 11 bat species have been recorded at Wichelstowe, including lesser and greater horseshoes, pipistrelles, noctules, and barbastelles.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said:
“I’m so pleased we’re able to offer a safe habitat for these wonderful animals. They’re an important part of England’s biodiversity and I hope they thrive in their splendid new digs.”
Dan Pavely, Project Director for Wichelstowe, added:
“We’re proud to support bat conservation through projects like this. The new bat cave not only replaces the roosts lost at Southleaze Farm but is part of our long-term strategy to help bats thrive here. It’s fantastic to see them already exploring their new home.”
The Wichelstowe development, a joint venture between Barratt Homes Bristol, David Wilson Redrow South West, and Swindon Borough Council, will eventually deliver 3,000 homes, schools, community facilities, and 200 acres of open space.
Known for their biodiversity-led approach, Barratt and David Wilson Redrow have incorporated bat roosts, boxes, and corridors into their designs to create developments where wildlife and people can coexist.
Bats are vital to ecosystems, controlling insect populations and serving as indicators of environmental health. Though many species remain under pressure globally, UK conservation efforts are helping some populations — including the greater horseshoe and pipistrelle bats — to recover.
