Full legal protection makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take water voles, intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection and to intentionally or recklessly disturb water voles whilst occupying a structure or place used for that purpose.

There is a defence against the above when the action is the incidental result of an otherwise lawful operation and could not reasonably have been avoided. Natural England has published guidance for planners and developers ‘Water voles – the law in practice‘ , which is available via its website