Richard Hammond's plans to renovate his newly purchased £2million Welsh mansion have hit a snag after a survey found eight species of bats roosting and hunting on the estate. Since all bat species are legally protected in the UK, the discovery means any building work affecting them is tightly regulated, potentially forcing changes to the former Top Gear presenter's ambitious redevelopment scheme.

Hammond, 56, bought the six-bedroom Georgian manor in Llanwenarth, Abergavenny, for £1.99million in March, and wants to add a showroom, library and memorabilia gallery to house his car collection, alongside a padel court replacing the existing tennis court. Three dusk surveys identified bat species including brown long-eared and pipistrelles, with particular activity found around a stone barn he hopes to convert into a bar; a European Protected Species licence will now be required, with mitigation measures needed to avoid disturbing roosts. Hammond has submitted a planning application to Monmouthshire council, with public consultation due to close on 16 September.