Bats put development of leisure centre on hold

Work on the leisure centre has stopped pending a licence from Natural England

A project to revamp a leisure centre in Norfolk has been paused after bats were found living in a building that is due to be demolished.

The £11m project will see a 25m swimming pool and a multi-use games area created at Trap Lane Recreation Ground, Fakenham.

However, surveys have revealed pipistrelle bats have been living there.

North Norfolk District Council is now required to obtain a licence from Natural England before the building can be demolished.

Developers will have to take extra precautions to ensure bats are not harmed and bat boxes must be provided, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.