CONCERNS have been raised over the demolition of a building that may be a roosting ground for bats.

The Friends of Slough Canal have expressed fears that the old Travis Perkins building, in Stoke Road, is a prominent roosting ground for bats, which are a protected species. The building is soon to be demolished by Slough Borough Council.

A spokeswoman for the FoSC said: “Night fishermen there used to watch bats going in and out of building and local people, especially when swans were nesting at the basin, said the same.

“People saw bats going in and out of the building up to last year, in great numbers.”

However, Cllr James Swindlehurst, the leader of SBC, claimed that the building was not home to roosting bats. He said: “The demolition of the Travis Perkins building is part of our commitment to bring the Slough Canal Basin back to life.

“Prior to demolition the council concluded that the building had low ecological value. This is because it was an active industrial builders merchants until the middle of last year, and heavily used. It was also lit by artificial lighting, it was made up of 100 per cent hard standing, was damp and draughty and was constructed steel and sheet metal – all of which would not be attractive to nesting bats.”

Jo Lucas, of the Berks and South Bucks Bat Group, said: “Bats are a European protected species, the bats and their roosts are protected from destruction and disturbance.

“Due to the varied life cycle of bats, the rate they reproduce and significant falls in population historically through various human impacts, the roosts are protected even if they are not present. Breaking the law can result in a £5,000 maximum fine per bat, and potentially six months in prison.”