Demolition of former Arundel Court Primary school in Portsmouth could be delayed after bats spotted and droppings found

Arundel Court Primary Academy is undergoing a rebuild, during which a new school building has been built on the playing fields.

The plan was then to demolish the old building and turn that land into new playing fields. But the project could be delayed after bat droppings were discovered and the flying mammals were spotted in the grounds.

A statement from the DfE said: ‘Following a survey of the Arundel Court Primary Academy building, the ecologist identified bat droppings but no evidence of roosts. Further surveys are due to be carried out shortly. We will confirm next steps in due course following completion of the surveys.’

Portsmouth City Council confirmed the sighting of bats in the area – and if a roost is discovered measures may be needed which could potentially delay the demolition.

The government website states that bats are a protected species and as such ‘their breeding sites and resting places are fully protected by law’. The law prohibits the destruction of a breeding or resting place for bats and the ‘intentional disturbance of a bat while it’s in a structure or place of shelter or protection’.

The council’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Suzy Horton, said: ‘The pre-demolition process has identified the sighting of bats on the site which is being reviewed to establish any mitigation required and its effect on the programme.’

Any measures put in place will not affect children’s education as pupils moved into the new 700-capacity school building in February.

SEE ALSO: University of Portsmouth helps the fight against illegal animal trafficking

The University of Chichester Academy Trust, which oversees the school, said the old building no longer comes under its jurisdiction.

A trust spokesman said: ‘The demolition of the old site and investigation into the presence of bats has had no impact on the opening of the school building and pupils are now gradually returning to class following the coronavirus lockdown period.

‘Arundel Court Primary moved into its new academy building in February and immediately transferred responsibility for the old site and its demolition to the Department for Education and their contractors.’

Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the presence of roosting bats and what ‘mitigation’ would need to be put in place.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.