Under UK law, many species of flora and fauna and their habitats are protected. The applicable laws and guidelines govern actions in and around such species and their habitats, and the requirements vary between different species and contexts.

In an article for Construction News, Claire Atkins explains that a developer can face fines, civil proceedings and criminal sanctions if found guilty of injuring or killing a protected species, or disturbing or restricting access to their breeding or resting places.</p>