The targeted winter demolition of the Pavilion (approved by East Lothian Council (ELC) in 2016) was delayed due to a public concern over the Pavilion being used as a “roosting site for bats”. Following investigation by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), FoW were contacted by Liz McLean of East Lothian Council to advise us of the following:
SNH have advised that –
‘No licence is required from SNH because there is no evidence that bats have used the pavilion. To that extent SNH are not involved apart from the unlikely event of finding a bat. The survey stated that a hibernation roost was not likely so in many respects a winter demolition is the safer option. ‘
Essentially,’ the Council can feel secure in demolishing the building without the emergency survey recommended by David Dodds’.
ELC will re-activate the tenders and progress with the demolition.
————————-
For our part, Friends of Winterfield requested that the cleared site should be “grassed over”, in preference to tarmac as it will be less costly to lay; less environmentally damaging; and easier to lift again, should a decision be made to reuse the site.