Concern after bats halt work
BATS have caused a delay to work taking place to stop the rapid deterioration of one of Leek’s most prominent buildings .
Big Mill, a Grade II Listed building, sits high above Mill Street and is on the gateway to the town on the busy Leek to Macclesfield Road.
The mill, which has planning permission for 44 apartments, has been empty for more than 10 years.
In June, members of the Moorlands Partnership Board awarded a grant to allow the building to be covered with heavy duty tarpaulin sheets.
However, last week a report to councillors by executive director Dai Larner said: “The owner’s ecological consultant became concerned about the impact of the temporary sheet roofing on bat roosts in the building and advised works to stop pending discussions with Natural England.
“These discussions eventually concluded that the works can proceed without any adverse effects on the bats. The sheets are of a bespoke design and have already been made. Their installation can now take place imminently.”
Speaking at the meeting the council’s regeneration officer for design and conservation, Richard Tuffrey, said the contractors had been told to stop: “Bats are not affected and there is now pressure to start the work.
“The wooden floors are in poor condition
“The building has planning permission for apartments. It is understood that discussion have taken place with Homes for England.”
Chairman of the partnership board, Hilda Sheldon, said there was concern work had stopped when the board had put £20,000 into protecting the building.
Councillor Richard Alcock said that virtually every window in the building was broken and that the premises looked a mess.