Spontaneous interview with somebody from Scottish Natural Heritage. Seemed to be quite nice, but got a bit apprehensive later on after agreeing to the interview, and so wanted to send me on to their press officer, but answered some questions about Dalkeith Park in which they are based. I have to rely on my scribbles for the record, hopefully it is accurate enough. The initiative for the Bypass is led by the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Natural Heritage involvement is to give advise to the Scottish Executive. The main concern in Dalkeith Park are the preservation of Species and as a Site of Specific Scientific Intrest. The land for the Bypass was subject to compulsary purchase from the Duke of Buccleuch, the biggest landowner in Scotland. More info, see: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1710072005 There were rumours that the Bypass through Dalkeith Park would also enable new houses and development to be build on other land of the Dalkeith Park. The Scottish Natural Heritage declines this and responds that there would not be any knowledge of any plans for further development on the site of the Park, but further south, towards Musselburgh, more housing is planned to be build. About the bats: From December to April the bats are in a period of hibernation. Any work needed to be carried out will need to be licensed by the Scottish Executive, however it seems they rely on the Scottish Natural Heritage for advise. The SNH points out, that on the route for the Bypass mainly young trees would be situated, and they consider it not as much as a habitat for the bats to hibernate, but as feeding grounds. The trees marked with B are the trees with Bats in them, if these are to be felled they need to be cut down very slowly and under supervision limb by limb. The Scottish Natural Heritage has been approached for a survey about 12 years ago. Now, about 2 months ago, work on a new survey has started, with the current research focusing on species and trees en route. The Scottish Natural Heritage points out that the prefered timing for felling trees would be from September till December. There will also be more surveys conducted next year, after that the SNH would be again consulted. The SNH has no detailled plans yet on how the Bypass will affect the Park. They will try to make alternative roots available with providing bat-boxes. And they also plan a survey about the bat breeding season in spring. The SNH points out that they were consulted about 12 years ago, and not again after that. Other species in the park are otters, badgers and deer. The main problem for these animals in future will be to cross the river. The interviewee points out, that according to his knowledge Dalkeith would have the worst transport pollution record in Scotland.