Developer who demolished Derbyshire bungalow knowing it was home to tiny bats avoids jail
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Back in 2018 an application was made to North East Derbyshire District Council by a local developer to demolish an existing bungalow on Amber Lane, Ashover and, in its place, build a new dwelling.
A spokesperson for the Derbyshire Rural Crime Team said: "An ecologist's survey identified the presence of Pipistrelle bats in the old building, meaning that other measures to protect the bats would be required in advance of any demolition work.
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Hide AdBut the developer chose to commission a second survey which produced a report telling of a bat-free zone.
Despite the planning authority’s stipulations, the developer went ahead, razed the old bungalow and built the new house.
Interviews followed with the developer and a second person, and charges soon followed."
The developer was sentenced to a conditional discharge for 12 months.