UK property developer to pay thousands for breaching bat habitation rules
A Derby-based property developer has been ordered to pay over £14,4000 for violating the conditions of a European Protected Species Bat Mitigation Licence.
Natural England, an executive non-departmental public body, have prosecuted Radbourne Construction Limited, Derby, who have recently pleaded guilty to four offences relating to a housing development in Harehill, near Ashbourne.
Patrick Weekes, 55, took responsibility for the charges and was fined £3,200 plus a victim’s surcharge of £1,280 and ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £9,955.17.
These huge fines had to be paid, as in October 2020 a European Protected Species Bat Mitigation Licence was issued to the defendant, but the court was told, Natural England’s Wildlife Licensing Service had been made aware of potential breaches.
Following this, Natural England pushed forward with the prosecution because the breaches were considered so significant as to have impacted the welfare and Favourable Construction Status of the bat species involved – brown long-eared bats were left with no suitable maternity roosting provision within the site.
In addition, the housing development reduced the suitability of roosting opportunities for common pipistrelle bats, as well as endangering the welfare of both species.
While sentencing the defendant, the court noted that Mr Weekes had acted in contravention of the professional advice provided by both their own ecological consultant and Natural England. The defendant did not carry out work to mitigate the harmful impact on bats when so instructed by Natural England.
Steph Bird-Halton, Natural England’s National Delivery Director, said: ‘Natural England does not take the decision to prosecute lightly. However, where individuals or companies place the welfare or Favourable Conservation Status protected species at risk, we will not hesitate to take targeted and proportionate enforcement action.
‘I would like to thank the Bat Conservation Trust’s Wildlife Crime Project for the assistant they provided in this case.’
Image: James Wainscoat
Bird habitat could halt the progress of over 4,000 Norfolk homes
New government measures announced to protect England’s landscapes
