Bats in the UK - Legislation

• All species of bat are fully protected under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) through their inclusion on Schedule 2.
• Bats are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Schedule 5. Protected from: 

  • Intentional or reckless disturbance (at any level)
  • Intentional or reckless obstruction of access to any place of shelter or protection
  • Selling, offering or exposing for sale, possession or transporting for purpose of sale
• This legislation is also translated into planning policy, and BERS are a part of the data collection to ensure that planning applications are legislatively compliant.