Overview

This bill aims to improve bat habitat protection in undeveloped areas while reducing it in buildings when bats negatively impact building users. It mandates bat surveys before construction in certain situations and introduces stipulations regarding bat roost provision and exceptions for bat roosts in places of worship.

Description

Enhanced Protection in Undeveloped Areas

The bill requires bat surveys before new construction or wind turbine installation on undeveloped land. If bats are present, developers must provide artificial roosts before building occupancy.

Limited Protection in Built Environments

The bill modifies existing legislation to exempt bat roosts in places of public worship from certain protections, unless the bats significantly affect building users.

Extent and Commencement

The bill applies only to England and Wales and comes into force upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill's financial implications are not explicitly stated in the provided text. The cost of bat surveys and the provision of artificial roosts would likely fall on developers, not directly on the government. However, the government may incur costs in administering and enforcing the new regulations.

Groups Affected

• Developers: Face increased costs and potential delays due to mandatory bat surveys and the need to provide artificial roosts.
• Wind Turbine Developers: Subject to the same requirements as other developers regarding bat surveys and potential mitigation.
• Places of Worship: Could experience reduced legal protection for bat roosts depending on the impact on building users.
• Bat Conservation Groups: May see increased protection in undeveloped areas but potential reduction in some built environments.
• Local Councils: Responsible for enforcing the new regulations.

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