Protected species or convenient legal loophole…
The demolition of the Mitchell’s Brewery could be halted by the presence of bats.
I consider myself to be a right-minded animal lover. I am a practicing vegetarian, a regular contributor to the World Wildlife Fund and I am yet to meet a critter that I don’t like.
But there is something convenient and strangely predictable about the sudden discovery of bats in the former Mitchells Brewery building in Lancaster that had been slated for demolition.
Since the brewer announced plans to demolish its landmark building earlier this month, conservationists and local residents have staged a series of protests and initiated a campaign to prevent the demolition going ahead, suggesting that a conversion would be a more suitable option.
However, as the building is not listed, the owner was well within its rights to slate it for demolition. However, the discovery of bat roost could delay demolition plans for several months.
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Posted: October 29th, 2009 under General.
Comment from Noel
Time November 26, 2009 at 1:14 pm
As one of those campaigning to save the Brewery, and convert it to use as a heritage centre, micro-brewery, community facility, anything really, I am highly suspicious about the timing of Mitchell’s application to demolish the Brewery. Is it linked to the Public Inquiry about the Centros application to turn the whole area into a faceless shopping development? To the city council’s discussions about extending Conservation Areas? To councillors’ attempts to get the building listed? To the sudden interest from SAVE and the Victorian Society? To the issue raised in the Centros Inquiry that neither the owners nor the city council have never considred or costed alternative uses for the building? Surely not. That would be conspiracy theory.