Soft felling heavy stems with bat potential .

[skyhuck]

Since 2007 it is an offence (in Scotland anyway)... to obstruct access to a breeding site or resting place of such an animal, or otherwise to deny the animal use of the breeding site or resting place. There are exceptions under license.

 

I reckon felling and removal after 48 hours could be considered "denying use of"

[daltontrees]

I reckon felling and removal after 48 hours could be considered "denying use of"

 

ME too, but the rule is going to prohibit blocking up where there is potential bat roosts, not confirmed ones. If they are confirmed, you need a license to fell. If you fell a potential roost and it turns out to be occupied (probably not necessary or desirable to check anyway) then it is the bats' decision to leave the roost and not to return.

 

A line has to be drawn somewhere, I am neither of or agiasnt the rules, I'm just speculating that that is where the line is.

 

It's all going to get covered in the new British Standard anyway. Not that anyone will pay any attention to it.