Conversion and major repairs to buildings often leads to the loss of suitable nesting or roosting sites for birds and bats. There are usually measures that can be taken to retain the wildlife interest while enabling repairs to be carried out. It is usually a lack of awareness of this and the mistaken belief that wildlife is always damaging to property. Expert advice is available to owners of buildings through Natural England and volunteer groups. It is the responsibility of those organisations to find ways to raise awareness and understanding of these issues. Occasionally, nesting or roosting species which are protected by law are deliberately disturbed or killed. In these cases it is essential that existing legislation is enforced.
Habitat Statement
Conservation objectives
To identify and record the locations of buildings of significant ecological value.
To maintain the ecological interest of these sites encouraging appropriate maintenance where necessary.
To expand the range and distribution of rare and common species with associations with the built environment.
To prevent further development on habitats of nature conservation importance.
Conservation measures
Survey and evaluate the full range of habitats in the built environment to determine their importance for wildlife.
Protect sites which are important for wildlife from inappropriate development through the planning system.
Devise strategies to enable the use of vacant and / or derelict land, either temporarily or permanently as wildlife habitats.
Promote the conservation and enhancement of wildlife in the management of gardens and other green spaces in the built environment.
Encourage community action to survey, plan for and manage wildlife habitats within the built environment.
Promote the creation and use of wildlife habitats in the built environment to inform communities about local wildlife and the wider environment.
