A construction firm has been fined £40,000 for destroying bat roosts in Caernarfon without planning permission.

FI Real Estate Management went ahead with demoltion work at the Peblig industrial estate in Caernarfon in September 2024, despite a prior warning from council planning officers.

The company, based in Chorley, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to destroying a wild animal shelter.

Caernarfon magistrates heard FI had lodged a planning application to redevelop the site in 2022, which included plans to replace disused industrial and commercial units.

A structural survey found several buildings were unsafe and needed to be demolished at the earliest opportunity, particularly as a result of youths visiting the derelict units.

But in early 2023, another survey found three different species of bats were roosting in some of the buildings - which meant any demolition work would require a special licence from Natural Resources Wales.

That meant a suitable bat house was needed at the site to help safeguard the protected bat species.

But in June 2023, a senior biodiversity officer rejected plans for the shelter, deeming it unsuitable, and advised adjustments were needed before demolition work could start.

Cyngor Gwynedd's planning department had warned FI that going ahead with the demolition without a licence was unauthorised - but despite this, the company pressed ahead with the work, which destroyed the bat roosts.

The council alerted North Wales Police, who launched an investigation at the end of 2024. According to the force, the offences breached the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

After pleading guilty in January, FI Real Estate Management was ordered to pay a £40,000 fine in full within three months.

Sgt Peter Evans from the Rural Crime Unit at North Wales Police said: "The demolition caused irreversible harm to a protected species."

"Developers and property owners have a clear legal obligation to carry out the necessary surveys and secure the correct licences before starting work and adhere to them."

"The conviction sends a clear message that wildlife crime is not a victimless offence, nor is it an acceptable cost of doing business."