Bat Information and the Law
All Bats species
and their habitat are protected against damage and disturbance by The
Bonn Convention EC habitats directive Conservation (habitats & c)
Regulations 1994 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act as amended 1981.
It is an offence to: - Deliberately or recklessly capture,
injure or kill a bat
- Intentionally or recklessly disturb a
bat at a roost
- Intentionally or recklessly obstruct
access to a roost
- Deliberately or recklessly disturb in a
way that would significantly affect their local distribution or abundance, or
affect their ability to survive, breed or rear young
- Damage or destroy a bat roost (this is
an ‘absolute’ offence)
- Possess, control, transport, sell,
exchange or offer for sale/exchange any live or dead bat or any part of a bat
Penalties for breaking the law can include large
fines, imprisonment, and seizure of equipment. Both the company and the
individuals can be held liable.
Surveys If a development is to affect structures or habitat (eg. mature trees) that could potentially be used as bat roosts a survey must be undertaken by a suitably experienced ecologist. The surveyor may require a bat license dependant on the survey methods involved. - Initial walkover surveys and inspection of potential buildings
work in progress.....
Nick Weaver Ecology offers a full range of protected species surveys, licensing and mitigation. For more information please contact us.
Tel: 07886 803046 Useful links: | 