I am aware that many constituents have concerns over the lack of environmental protection provisions in the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, particularly surrounding the conservation of species such as bats, and the important issue of preserving our green spaces.
All bat species are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. It is an offence to deliberately kill, injure, disturb or capture them; damage or destroy their breeding sites and resting places (even when bats are not present); or possess, control or transport them. It is also an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to intentionally or recklessly disturb bats while they occupy a structure or place used for shelter or protection or obstruct access to a place of shelter or protection.
I will continue to scrutinise the Government's plans for animals and habitats in regard to planning, however the Government must balance this with the pressing need to streamline the planning process and surrounding bureaucracy. The best way to do this would be to focus on removing old EU red tape: not forcing planning applications through which violate the wishes of local residents and damage vital public green spaces.