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Written question asked by Lord Vinson (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Monday, 20 June 2011.

Bats

Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimated overall cost to the United Kingdom economy of implementing the European protected species directive with regard to bats in England for the years 2009 and 2010; and what was the cost of(a) issuing and supervising licences by English Nature, (b) any mandatory surveys, (c) application and compliance with the recommendations and restrictions in the licence, (d) any delays in construction to comply with the licence, and (e) supervision and authorisation by the local planning authority.
Answer

All bat species in the United Kingdom are protected under the Habitats Directive and the relevant transposing regulations. The Government do not hold information on the overall cost to the United Kingdom economy of implementing the Habitats Directive with specific regard to bats. However, in response to your other questions: (a) Natural England processed 2,448 and 2,584 requests in relation to bat licences in 2009 and 2010 respectively. The time and cost of assessing and supervising proposals varies significantly and is generally dependent on complexity. Applications can range from requests for permission to carry out surveys to complicated proposals involving significant changes to the habitat of bats. Natural England estimates the staff costs associated directly with bat licensing applications, assessment and processing in 2009 and 2010 to be £280,000 and £300,000 respectively. (b) Surveys are necessary to establish whether any protected species are present and, if so, how they are using the habitats and in what numbers. The Government do not collate information on the costs of surveys to inform licence applications. (c) The costs of applying for and complying with the requirements of bat licences are highly variable and depend on the complexity of the proposal and the nature of any mitigation or compensation required to meet the directive's requirements. The Government do not collate information on the costs incurred. (d) The Government do not record whether construction projects have been delayed by the need to comply with a licence. Natural England does advise those it regulates that planning early for the needs of protected species and designing proposals that meet licensing requirements minimises the risks of delay and associated costs. (e) The Government do not hold any information on the costs incurred by local planning authorities in relation to complying with regulations protecting bats.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
9839; 728 c225-6WA
Session
2010-12
Related items
Bats
Monday, 11 July 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Costs Construction Licensing EU law Planning Nature conservation Surveys Bats
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk