YOUR article “MP says bats directive is ridiculous” (Echo, Oct 17) highlights the very significant difficulties which churches with a resident population of bats can face.

St Hilda’s Church, in Ellerburn, houses one of the largest known maternity colonies of natterer’s bats in the region which are afforded a high level of protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.

We were, therefore, pleased to have established an agreed way forward at a constructive meeting with the church authorities in August, which we hope will help to restore services to this beautiful and historic church while continuing to protect the large and important colony of bats that it houses.

We have subsequently worked closely with St Hilda’s to assist them in re-submitting a licence application to block the main entrance used by the bats to enter the church – and a licence for this work was granted in September. Monitoring work in liaison with local bat groups continues to ensure that this is not causing harm to the breeding colony.

We have no wish to see St Hilda’s and its devoted congregation inconvenienced by bats in the way that it has been and will continue to work closely with them.

Janette Ward, Regulation director, Natural England.