Ricky Gervais forced to build a bat house in his estate: what was the reason.

Ricky Gervais and his new house

According to The Sun: Ricky Gervais plans to create a habitat for bats in his riverside estate. It turns out that these creatures use his attic as

“maternity ward”

The comedian decided to demolish his £6 million home and build a new one that will include a gym and a tennis court.

However, a survey revealed that the roof of his current house is a breeding ground for bats, which are a protected species. More than 270 soprano bats were observed coming out of the building, and thousands of their droppings were found in the attic.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is illegal to disturb, harm, or kill bats or damage their roosts.

This means that Gervais, 64, must obtain a special license from Natural England before beginning construction.

Additionally, he will need to provide special accommodations for bats in the new garage and install two bat boxes on nearby trees as part of a protection strategy for the species.

An ecologist noted in the report:

“Since maternity colonies require specific ecological conditions, female bats return to the same place for roosting and breeding year after year.”

Future Plans

Gervais first applied for the demolition of his four-bedroom house and construction of a new one last summer, but these plans were rejected due to flooding concerns.

The star of the shows 'After Life' and 'The Office' is submitting updated plans for his house by the Thames, which has flooded five times since 1947. It is proposed to scrap the side wing, reduce the external stairs, and update the plans for the new building in Neoclassical style.

The new house will feature a grand entrance hall, gym, living room, reading area, lift, and a master bedroom with a terrace overlooking the tennis court and pond.

Gervais's planning agency stated:

“New roosting opportunities for bats have been carefully considered for both short-term and long-term perspectives.”

Local council officials expect a decision to be made next month and have not yet received any objections from neighbors.

Gervais purchased the three-bedroom property of 2811 sq.m for £2.75 million in 2014, but it is now valued at £4.3 million.

The proposed new build also includes a huge bedroom on the north side with a terrace overlooking the Thames, as well as a tennis court and a pond.

There are also plans to build flood protection in the front and back.

Gervais also owns a £14.75 million mansion in Hampstead with nine bedrooms, a spa, and a gym, as well as two apartments in New York.

Ricky Gervais continues to implement his plans for new housing, considering environmental aspects related to bats. This is not only an important milestone in his career but also a testament to artists' responsibility towards the natural environment. Future events will show how to balance comfort with care for the environment in Gervais's new project.