Factory demolition halted by bats (From Gazette Series)

Factory demolition halted by bats

WORK to demolish the former Bymacks factory buildings in Dursley will not be able to start until September because bats have moved in, according to police.

Crest Nicholson, which bought the Long Street site for development, had hoped to start work in the next three weeks.

But following the arrival of bats the company had to consult DEFRA, which advised the company not to start work until they had left.

The building has been subject to a string of arson attacks and last week Dursley Town Councillors criticised Crest Nicholson for failing to make the site safe.

For the poliuce Sgt Colin Ford said: "Crest Nicholson are at the stage now and will hopefully start progressing with work on the site in the next two or three weeks.

"Unfortunately some bats have moved into the building. They have consulted with DEFRA and these bats are protected and they can't do anything until the bats have gone. They are looking to start work in September."

But Lucy Newington-Bridges, spokeswoman for Crest Nicholson, said: "The delay at the moment is with the council and it has nothing to do with Crest Nicholson. They cannot go any further until the council get moving."

Miss Newington-Bridges would not confirm when work would start or whether there were bats in the building.

Barry White, head of development services at Stroud District Council said: "Consent for demolishing the current building on the site has been granted so they can go ahead with that. In terms of permission for the new development we are still waiting for them to sign a section 106 agreement on issues of affordable housing. Nothing can be done until we know the money is going to be there."