The National Trust is the single most important landowner for bats and has a significant responsibility for many other European protected species, such as great crested newts and smooth snakes.
No-one wants more bureaucracy, but then breaking the law is unpopular too! In the UK many species are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. But did you know that some of the rarest plants and animals in Europe are specially protected by legislation arising out of the Habitats Directive? If you wish to do works (such as building repairs or tree surgery) where any of these species occur, you may need a special licence.
On these pages you will find an explanation of and background to the nature of the new licensing system and guidance on how to manage for the species concerned when works are planned. It is not easy going. There is confusion as to when special licences are required. Consultants will need to be contracted, and the process of approval takes time. But there is a risk of falling foul of the law if we do not follow the procedure as set out by the Government…
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