A FRESH stumbling block has hit the troubled multi-million pound housing developments to the north of Ramshill – a colony of bats.

Construction work is already under way at the new 45-house estate, but bats roosting in Skinners Farm bungalow have put a halt to proceedings.

Their home is surrounded by building work, and under law cannot be touched until a DEFRA licence is granted.

And now developer Taylor Woodrow has had to erect special boxes to ensure the bats have the best possible chance of survival.

A Taylor Woodrow spokesman told The Herald: "After conducting a survey of the site using a team of independent ecologists, we identified the likely presence of bats at our Petersfield development.

"Upon advice from English Nature, we devised a method statement to show how the bats would be responsibly and sensitively managed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

"Before we can begin to follow our method statement, we are required to hold a licence from DEFRA.

"We applied for this licence several months ago, in consultation with the planning department of East Hampshire District Council.

"We hope the licence will be granted shortly so that the careful rehoming of the bats can commence.

"Alternative suitable habitats for the bats have already been provided."

Mike Pawling from the Hampshire branch of the Bat Conservation Trust said in cases such as this, developers need to take every step to ensure bats are treated correctly.

He said: "A special PPG9 form is required, which gives direction to developers. They must also write to the local authority and liaise with them."

It is illegal to "intentionally or recklessly" disturb a bat while it is occupying a structure or place that it uses for shelter or protection. There is a defence that this is not illegal in a dwelling house, but the defence can only be relied on if the Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation (SNCO), English Nature, the Countryside Council for Wales, or Scottish Natural Heritage, was notified about the proposed action and allowed reasonable time to advise as to whether it should be carried out, and if so, how.

Under the habitats regulations, it is an offence to deliberately disturb a bat. This applies anywhere, not just at its roost.

It is also illegal to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any place that a bat uses for shelter or protection. This is taken to mean all bat roosts, whether bats are present or not. There is a defence that this is not illegal in a dwelling house, but the defence can only be relied on if the SNCO was notified about the proposed action and allowed reasonable time to advise as to whether it should be carried out, and if so, how.

Under the habitats regulations it is an offence to damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of any bat. This is an absolute offence - in other words, intent or recklessness does not have to be proved.