A fine has been handed out to a man who deliberately destroyed a protected habitat so he could develop his property.

The case followed an investigation by Kent Police’s Rural Task Force relating to a property in Headcorn.

In December 2019, the offender sought planning permission for a barn conversion. As part of the planning process an ecology survey was carried out which concluded the barn was being used as both a day and hibernation roost by brown long-eared bats and pipistrelle bats. Further examination of the site found that a disused swimming pool was being used as a breeding ground for great crested newts.

As the bats and newts are protected by law the survey stressed the need for a Natural England European Protected Species Mitigation Licence to be obtained and any works to be carried out with a licenced bat handler present. In respect of the newts the survey concluded that there was a need for a receptor site, trapping and newt proof fencing.

In March 2021, an ecologist working for the Bat Conservation Trust visited the site in response to a report of a grounded bat. Whilst at the site she became aware that works had begun on the barn with the walls being removed and scaffolding erected resulting in the roost being used by the bats being destroyed.

The offender was later interviewed, and he admitted that groundwork had been carried out and the swimming pool had been drained, destroying the habitat of the great crested newts.

The offender was charged with destroying the breeding ground of the great crested newt, long-eared bat and pipistrelle bat.

The man appeared before Maidstone Magistrates Court in September where he admitted the charges. He was fined £1,600.

Sergeant Darren Walshaw of the Rural Task Force said: ‘It is disappointing that this individual developed the site despite being aware of the damage it would cause to the protected species living there. The building works should have been carried out under licence and supervised by specialist wildlife experts.

‘It is likely that a number of these endangered species would have died as a result of the destruction of their habitat.

‘We will not hesitate in taking action against those who show a blatant disregard for the regulations that are in place to protect endangered animals.’

See original article from Kent Police here.