Habitat Regulations

Oct 11, 2007

MAB have been advising several clients this year with on-going issues with bats and European legislation. However, we have successfully obtained five licenses this year, which ensure bat conservation while permitting development works to proceed. We have obtained a licence for the Bishop of Ripon's new palace in Leeds, where we have designed mitigation for both brown long-eared bats and common pipistrelles, with a purpose-built bat loft and a heated bat box.
New legislation has increased the threshold of disturbance to bat that requires a license, and it has also meant that the licensing system now also applies to dwelling houses. A new license application system is still being developed by Natural England, which will mean that the the 'licensee' will be the developer and not the consultant. These changes are generally welcome. There is, however, still some confusion as to when a license is required for small numbers of common species of bats, because the two relevant pieces of legislation differ in respect of what can be done without the need for a license.

MAB Environment & Ecology Ltd. The Old Chapel, Knayton, Thirsk YO7 4AZ. Limited company no. 6504129.