Bellway Homes fined £600,000 for demolishing bat roost

Bellway Homes has been fined £600,000 for demolishing a bat roost.

This is the largest fine ever issued by a court in relation to a wildlife crime.

Woolwich Crown Court heard the house builder admitted damaging or destroying a breeding site or resting place for bats at a construction site in Greenwich. The company was ordered to pay a fine of £600,000 with further costs of over £30,000.

Bellway Homes also agreed to make a voluntary donation of £20,000 to the Bat Conservation Trust. The case was brought after Bellway Homes carried out demolition work at a site in Artillery Place, SE18 in 2018.

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The Construction Environmental Manual contains guidance on dealing with bats on site and ensuring companies comply with the relevant legislation .