Bats, dragonflies, toads - wildlife is the latest must-have that developers need to include in their plans along with the his-and-hers bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and home cinemas. Cynics say developers are being kind to animals only for the brownie points that environmental trade-offs gain with local councils and the wildlife and conservation lobbies. In fact, it is the law: the creatures that European laws protect include bats, great crested newts, otters and natterjack toads.

This week the potential cost of such consideration was revealed in reports that Cheshire County Council has reluctantly paid £60,000 to move four protected newts on a school site under redevelopment.

“Improving the habitat benefits the local wildlife, but it is also for the benefit of the people who live there,” says David Evans, technical director of Linden Homes. “It creates value for our customers and our shareholders.” Linden Homes has built Water Colour at Redhill, Surrey, a batch of houses and apartments on a former quarry, part of which adjoins a “wildlife corridor” run by Surrey Wildlife Trust.

“The wildlife corridor had become rundown and underfunded,” Evans explains. “Surrey Wildlife Trust was doing its best with volunteers but by putting our two parties together it eased our planning approval and brought benefits to both parties.” Linden Homes expanded the corridor to include two lagoons, a canal, stream, reed beds and a 25acre nature reserve. The trust reports that the area is becoming home to many species, including teal, cormorants, bats, sand martins and dragonflies.

Leon Deith, 42, moved here in September after splitting up with his wife, from a large house set in 16 acres to a four-bedroom, three-storey home that backs onto one of the lagoons and cost £600,000. His children, Jack, 15, Tom, 12, and Heidi, nine, spend every other weekend with him. “The wildlife element was a selling point, but it wasn't the reason why I went for the house,” he says. “I want something modern, easy to maintain, not too big but with plenty of space for the children. But I certainly appreciate the environment.”

In Ferryhill Station, near Sedgefield, Co Durham, demolition of five semi-derelict streets of 65 early 20th-century terraced houses, known as The Rows, has been held up until a full ecology report can be carried out to see if bats, such as the pipistrelle, pictured above, are present.

The redevelopment is part of a £56.5million plan to regenerate three former pit villages. “Although The Rows are not ideal for bats, as they usually prefer older properties, there are several indicators which could mean that they are present,” says Colin Holm, a countryside officer for Sedgefield Borough Council. “The houses are pre-war, within 200m of water, and there is woodland near by.”

If bats are found, they will be rehoused in a suitable environment. Sedgefield is hot on environmental issues. “We have a number of legislative provisions to consider, such as the Habitats Regulations and the Wildlife and Countryside Act,” Holm says. He is proud of a “newt tunnel” the council has built on an industrial estate in Newton Aycliffe, which allows a colony of great crested newts to cross under a road to find food in nearby ponds.

If you are selling your house and suspect that you may have bats in the belfry, or any protected species anywhere else, see the full list at, naturalengland.org.uk, the website of Natural England. It is a legal requirement to declare them to your estate agent and solicitor.

Prices at Water Colour start at £242,500. www.lindenhomes.co.uk

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