Permission has been granted to demolish a cottage on the outskirts of Leek that was first built in the 1820s after concerns that the demolition would pose a risk to nearby bats were resolved.

We reported previously how a demolition determination application was submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council by a Mrs Hannah Donnan, relating to 126 Ivy Cottage in Ladderedge, Leek.

But the council said that full planning permission would first be required before the demolition could go ahead as it could potentially harm any bats living in the area.

An application form submitted as part of the plans said that after taking professional advice, the decision was made that the cottage needed to be demolished.

It added that once the cottage had been demolished, new plans would soon be submitted to build a new structure in its place.

The district council's planning officers said the work could not yet go ahead as measures first needed to be put in place "to ensure appropriate safeguard" of bats.

But following the submission of a new application, the council is now "satisfied that appropriate safeguards will be applied in respect of bats".

The council gave prior approval for the demolition to go ahead in their latest report, which concluded: "The LPA can be satisfied that the method of demolition and the resulting appearance of the site afterwards will be conducted and concluded so as not to be likely to result in undue loss of amenity for neighbouring residents, subject to the stated demolition method being followed.

"Subject to the method of demolition being conducted in accordance with the measures set out in the applicant's submitted protected species report, the LPA can be satisfied that appropriate safeguards will be applied in respect of bats which are specially protected by law.

"A decision can be issued confirming that prior approval is required and that this is granted subject to following the submitted details for the method of demolition including the measures relating to bats as submitted by the applicant."

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