A property development company has been charged with illegally destroying a bat habitat.

Kent Police’s Rural Task Force has been investigating allegations that bat roosts and resting places have been lost during the demolition of buildings for new housing at Eden Hall, in Stick Hill, Edenbridge.

It is reported works were undertaken without the required European Protected Species Mitigation Licence, which is issued by Natural England. A licence is necessary where demolition or renovation of any building will disturb, destroy or remove bat roosts.

Cavendish and Gloucester PLC, based in Finchley, London and contracts manager Peter Walkerden, 63, of The Firs, Layer De La Haye, Colchester, each face three charges of damaging or destroying a breeding site or resting place of a wild animal, of European protected species.

The offences are alleged to have happened between August 1 and August 18 last year.

They are due to appear at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on December 12.