Bats poser for Combermere Abbey

A family of bats could hold up plans to restore a crumbling wing of historic Combermere Abbey.

The north wing of the Grade I listed building, near Burleydam, has fallen into disrepair with large sections of the roof missing and even some of the external walls reduced to rubble.

Plans have been lodged to renovate the wing, which has been buried under scaffolding for 15 years, and return it to its original state.

But a colony of bats appears to have put the cat among the pigeons even before the scheme can get off the drawing board.

Experts have discovered bat droppings in the roof timbers and suspect the historic Abbey is now a maternity roost for the protected species of soprano pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pygmaeus.

Worse still is evidence of the whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus and even the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus in residence among the rotting rafters.

Now owners will almost certainly need to get a European Protected Species Licence from Natural England before work can even be considered.

A report to Cheshire East council warns that disturbing bats is an offence that is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding £5,000 per offence.

Council planners have been told: "Considerable work is required to all the roof of the building as it needs reshaping as a result of alterations conducted in 1820's. There is likely to be a large amount of re-timbering to replace rotten timbers and treatment of timbers left in place."

"In the opinion of the surveyor, should this development proceed it will affect the conservation status of a maternity roost of bats once the roof is re-closed. The flight paths are likely to be affected."

"The roost area is unlikely to be removed but may become fragmented as the integrity of the building is restored. There is a small chance of individual bats being damaged during works."

Renovation plans include converting the wing into a three-bedroom house with the upper floor still accessible to the main section of the abbey house.

But in order to get a bat licence owners may now have to set aside an area in the building for the bats to roost and to ensure that no bats are damaged or harmed during the renovation work.

A decision on Listed Building Consent for the project will be given by a Cheshire East planning officer under delegated powers with a target decision date of 18th July.

Details of the planning application can be found by entering planning reference 13/2219N in the Search Criteria here.

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