Protected species and habitats during development work
Several hundred species of birds, wild creatures, insects and plants are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order. What you can and can’t do by law varies from species to species.
The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations cover the protection of European protected species. The regulations include:
Protection of certain species of animals, such as the great crested newt, dormouse, bat, otter and large blue butterfly
Protection of species of plants, such as the fen orchid and early gentian
Designation of special areas of conservation (SAC) and special protection areas (SPAs), which are intended to protect the habitats of threatened species of wildlife
Disturbing protected species or damaging their habitats could result in prosecution against the above legislation.
You’re breaking the law if you:
capture, kill, disturb or injure a European protected species (on purpose or by not taking enough care)
damage or destroy a breeding or resting place (even accidentally)
obstruct access to their resting or sheltering places (on purpose or by not taking enough care)
possess, sell, control or transport live or dead individuals, or parts of them
Disturbing a protected species includes any deliberate activity that affects:
a group’s ability to survive, breed or raise their young
the species’ numbers or range in the local area
You are responsible for finding out if your development is likely to affect a protected area or site. Your planning authority may not grant you planning permission if it damages a protected area or site.
At Logic we offer the CITB SEATS course which provides delegates with a broad overview of environmental issues on construction sites, and the tools required to overcome them.
We can also offer guidance and support to allow you to meet your legal obligations in this area.
If you are interested in this course or require Health and Safety support, please contact us on 01179575154 or email training@logicshesolutions.co.uk OR techincal@logicshesolutions.co.uk.
