Bat discovery halts housing scheme at former Wakefield primary school site
The discovery of a bat has delayed plans to demolish a derelict former primary school to make way for a housing development.
The flying animal was spotted as work was being carried out at the old Waterton Junior and Infants School, in Wakefield.
The site, in Lupset, has been earmarked for 27 new homes to be constructed by social housing provider Vico Homes.
Work to flatten the site was due to be completed in autumn 2025.
Joanne Hill, Wakefield Council’s service manager for strategic housing, told councillors about the hold up during a meeting of the authority’s regeneration scrutiny committee.
Ms Hill said: “We started demolition and unfortunately a bat was discovered, even though we had done everything we could have done.
“We did all the right tests and had the right people look at the building.”
Bats are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
It can be an offence to ‘intentionally or recklessly disturb’ them, or obstruct access to a bat’s shelter.
The government’s environmental body Natural England has to issue a licence to allow any work that might harm them.
Ms Hill added: “We had to pause, unfortunately, and go through all the right bat processes.
“They are a very precious and protected species so we absolutely have to do it, but it will add months to the programme.
“Unfortunately that is the nature of development.”
The school building has been vacant since 2011, when the council closed it down due to falling pupil numbers and merged it with nearby Snapethorpe Primary School.
In July last year, Jack Hemingway, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, confirmed the building was due to be demolished.
He said at the time: “The former Waterton school site in Lupset is set for demolition this autumn.
“We’ve secured funding to carry out the demolition and get the site ready for redevelopment.
“We’re really excited to be working with partners to deliver our ambitions for new and affordable homes on this site.”
A planning application submitted on behalf of the authority to clear the site in September 2024 said it was “surplus to educational needs.”
The document said: “The building is a cause of anti-social behaviour, arson and therefore a revenue and resource headache in terms of maintenance and security.”
The council does not require Department of Education approval to carry out the work due to the length of time since the closure.
The school dates back to the 1950s and had a capacity of 280 pupils aged from three to 11-years-old.
Much of the site is now surrounded by social housing belonging to Vico Homes, previously Wakefield District Housing.