A man has been charged with the destruction of a roost for a protected species, in particular a Natterer’s bat (Myotis natteri). Mr Iain Russell Turner had a bat survey conducted as part of refurbishment works to his property in Shaftesbury in September 2018. The survey highlighted the presence of a natterer’s bat roost within a log store. This information was then reported to Mr Turner both verbally and in an email. However, following the bat survey, the log store was demolished.
Under the Widlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended), it is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat in its roost. In this case, Mr Turner was fined more than £7000 for a Proceeds of Crime Act Confiscation Order and also for illegally destroying the roost of a European Protected Species in October 2019.
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