Overview

The Bat Habitats Regulation Bill aims to improve bat habitat protection in undeveloped areas while reducing it in buildings where bats significantly affect building users. This involves mandatory bat surveys before construction and mitigation measures in certain cases.

Description

This bill modifies existing legislation concerning bat habitats. It introduces two main components:

Enhanced Protection in Undeveloped Areas

Before constructing new buildings or wind turbines on undeveloped land, a bat survey is mandatory. If bats are present, developers must provide alternative roosting sites (e.g., bat boxes) before occupancy or operation.

Reduced Protection in Buildings

The bill overrides aspects of the European Communities Act 1972, Habitats Regulations, and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, relating to bats in buildings used for public worship. Protection is only maintained if the bats' presence negatively impacts building users.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. However, implementing the new survey requirements and potential enforcement might require additional resources. The exact cost is not detailed in the provided text.

Groups Affected

The bill impacts several groups:

• Developers: Face additional costs and delays due to mandatory surveys and mitigation measures for projects in undeveloped areas.
• Builders: Will need to comply with survey and mitigation requirements.
• Wind Farm Developers: Similar requirements to developers of buildings apply here.
• Religious institutions: May experience reduced protection for bats in their buildings if those bats negatively impact users.
• Bat Conservationists: May see enhanced protection in undeveloped areas but reduced protection in some buildings.
• Local Councils: Will be involved in enforcing the legislation

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