PLANS for a new artificial playing pitch at a Warrington school can go ahead – providing there are no bats in the area.
Members of Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee have agreed to delegate the decision on the proposals at Cardinal Newman RC High School to officers – pending a report indicating it will not harm bats.
The proposed new playing pitch at the Latchford school is close to the Mersey – and the river in that area is regarded as an important, strategic, wildlife corridor.
There have been no objections to the scheme but ecology experts believe proposed floodlighting could have a severe impact on the wildlife corridor – particularly on bats which may use the river as a corridor between feeding sites..
No survey has been carried out to see if there are bats in the area, but if there are officers have made it clear that if there are the plan should not go ahead.
The committee agreed to delegate the decision to officers after a survey has been completed.
If no bats are found, the scheme can go ahead.
The new playing pitch will replace an existing one which has not been used for five years because of damage caused by flooding from the Mersey.
