Brussels, 13/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to pursue the infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom for its continued failure to comply with the Habitats Directive. This Member State will be receiving a reasoned opinion (second stage in the procedure) for failure to comply with the protection of breeding and resting places of the otter, great crested newt and all bat species. The Commission reproaches the United Kingdom for having granted building permits or for carrying out infrastructure projects in breeding or resting sites of these endangered animal species, without the potential harm that could be done by such projects being properly assessed beforehand.
According to the terms of the directive, exemptions to the ban on deteriorating or destroying these habitats are possible in certain cases, subject to compliance with strict conditions. For example, there must be no satisfactory alternative for a construction project, the conservation status of the species must be safeguarded and there must be a valid reason justifying the damage or destruction of the sites in question. The authorisations granted by the United Kingdom in no way fulfil these conditions.