PLANNING chiefs at Warrington are minded to approve a school’s proposals for a new artificial playing pitch – unless it upsets the local bat population.
That is, assuming there is a bat population near Cardinal Newman RC High School, in Bridgewater Avenue, Latchford.
The problem is that the playing field is close to the Mersey – and the river in that area is regarded as an important, strategic, wildlife corridor.
Warrington Borough Council education chiefs want to develop the new, floodlit playing pitch to replace an existing one which has not been used for five years after being damaged when it was flooded from the Mersey. As a result, the school is not able to include certain sports in its curriculum.
The proposals are acceptable in every way and there have been no objections from nearby residents or local councillors. But ecology experts believe the proposed floodlighting could have a severe impact on the Mersey as a wildlife corridor.
Wildlife, and in particular bats, may use the river as a corridor between feeding sites. If they avoided the river because of the floodlights, it could affect their ability to feed.
A report to be considered by the council’s development management committee states there has been no survey to establish if there are bats in the area.
It states officers would recommend the scheme be approved if it can be established there would be no harm to the wildlife corridor. They have asked for more detailed information.
The committee is being recommended to delegate authority to officers so the scheme could be approved in the event of an additional, favourable report. But officers make it clear that if this cannot be done, the plan should be refused.
