We challenged the Department on the balance in legislation that needs to be taken between meeting environmental obligations and costs, raising the example of the £100 million cost of a protective ‘bat tunnel’.36 In order to mitigate HS2’s impact on nearby bat habitats, the Sheephouse Wood Bat Protection Structure is being constructed near Calvert in Buckinghamshire. The structure will be a combination of concrete arches and mesh inserts and around 1km in length and up to 10m high.37 The Depar...

We challenged the Department on the balance in legislation that needs to be taken between meeting environmental obligations and costs, raising the example of the £100 million cost of a protective ‘bat tunnel’.36 In order to mitigate HS2’s impact on nearby bat habitats, the Sheephouse Wood Bat Protection Structure is being constructed near Calvert in Buckinghamshire. The structure will be a combination of concrete arches and mesh inserts and around 1km in length and up to 10m high.37 The Department explained that under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the International Convention on the Conse Type: conclusion | Number: 22 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 4.2 The department intends to provide the Committee with a preliminary response in its letter to the Committee before the Summer recess begins in July 2025. 4.3