Last Updated on June 17, 2022 by HodgePodgeDays
Many parts of the UK are famous for a rich, picturesque, and diverse countryside. However, the unfortunate truth is that many of our native animals and plants would be driven to extinction, either intentionally or unintentionally, if they were not protected by the UK governments. Over the past few decades, the country has become more aware of the damage that it has caused to the planet, and legislation has been put in place to work towards protecting what is left and attempting to return it to an original state.
What Protects Species in the UK?
Successive governments in the UK have passed various acts of parliament that are intended to protect certain species and their habitats to prevent them from going extinct and ensure that future generations are able to continue enjoying the UK countryside and its native wildlife. The most commonly referenced law relating to this is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, along with The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. These legislations are the driving force behind much ecological consultancy work.
Which Species are Protected in the UK?
The legislations are in place to protect various species in the UK including popular wildlife such as bats, barn owls, badgers, quails, newts, herons, swans, warblers, long-tailed ducks, golden eagles, red kits, kingfishers, pintails, greylag geese, woodlarks and more. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an office to intentionally disturb any of these protected species without a valid license. Some species cannot be disturbed at all while others are not to be disturbed during the breeding season.
Since some species such as bats and newts may set up nests in private properties, it’s important to be aware of them before embarking on any property development or construction projects. You should conduct a newt survey or bat survey if you are about to start construction work in an area where there is a risk that these species may be. Arbtech is one of the most reputable and trustworthy providers of newt survey and bat survey services in the UK. Arbtech will conduct a survey in line with regulations and provide advice on how to legally deal with newts, bats, and other protected species at your home or on a construction site.
What Does the Legislation Mean for Protected Species?
The legislation protecting certain species in the UK offers protection to around fifty vertebrates and seventy invertebrates to different levels depending on the individual rarity of the species in question. Under the legislation, it is an offence to: intentionally take, injure or kill a protected species; offer or expose them for sale; intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy a nest or place of shelter; intentionally or recklessly disturb the species while occupying its place of shelter; or intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a nest or home. Eggs are also protected under the legislation.
Are Plants Included?
The environmental legislations regarding protected species in the UK do not just cover animals. It is also illegal to uproot any wild plants unless you have permission from the landowner. Along with this, over one hundred flowering plants and around seventy-five lower plants also have special protection in the UK, which makes it illegal to intentionally, uproot, pick, destroy or sell them. It is also illegal to allow certain plants such as Japanese Knotweed to grow in the wild.
How Protected Species Affect You
For the most part, the legislations surrounding protected species in the UK do not have much impact on the general public. Where it will have an impact on your life is if you are applying for planning permission. Before certain developments will be able to go ahead, an ecological survey or a special survey for certain protected species such as bats will often be required. This will ensure that no protected species are at risk of harm during the construction work and that the overall population of the species in the area is not negatively affected. There are various types of construction projects that are likely to require an ecological survey or a protected species survey including new build housing estates, barn conversions, extensions, roofing work, maintenance projects and more.
Surveys
Ecological surveys for the majority of protected species in the UK can only be conducted during the active period for the species. Because of this, ecology should be something that is considered at the earliest stage during the planning process.
Newt and Amphibian Surveys: Great crested newts and amphibians such as pool frogs are the only British amphibian species that are protected in the UK. Pool frogs are very rare and therefore unlikely to be found on a development site. However, great crested newts are less rare, and developers should be aware of the possibility of their presence and the implications of such.
Badger Surveys: Badgers and their setts are also protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. This makes it a criminal offence to destroy or damage a sett or disturb a badger within a set. If badgers are suspected to be present on a development site, then an assessment will be necessary. Any works that are likely to impact an active badger sett or disturb badgers will require a Development License.
Bat Surveys: In the UK, all bat species are protected. Bats may utilise a range of different places for hibernating, roosting, and breeding, which means that developers need to be aware that bats may be present on their land, and the implications for development that this might lead to.
Dormouse Surveys: Dormice are commonly found in the south of England and tend to inhabit hedgerows and woodland. Generally, they are active between April and October, so surveys must be carried out during this time.
Water Vole Surveys: Water voles are typically found in burrows along water course banks. This is a protected species in the UK, so surveys must be carried out along with appropriate migration devised where necessary. Water vole surveys are usually carried out between March and September as they are less active during the winter.
While the laws protecting certain species in the UK will not usually affect the general public, it’s important to be aware of them and what is required of you if you are planning construction or development.
This is a contributed post.