Bradford Live: Bat boxes added to new music venue in town

Conservationists have praised the addition of bat and bird boxes at new Bradford live music venue.

Workers used a hydraulic platform to install 40 boxes outside the former Odeon cinema, which is undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment before it reopens.

The boxes were part of the planning conditions set by Bradford Council for the refurbishment of the building which is in a conservation area.

Jane Liddle from the West Yorkshire Bat Group (WYBG) said: “Construction work can remove bat habitat so this is very welcome.”

Chris Morrell, director of Bradford Live, the company developing the building, said: “We obviously don’t want to affect any local wildlife.

“There are 20 bat boxes and 20 bird boxes; many are at a high level, so they are not visible”.

He said a survey before construction work began showed no evidence of bats in the area.

Ms Liddle said the move was “admirable”, adding: “It’s probably the pipistrelle bats who are most likely to use them.”

There are eight species of bats found in Bradford County, according to WYBG.

These are: common pipistres; Pipistrelle soprano; Brown with long ears; of Daubenton; the night; Leisler’s; Mustache and Brandt (very similar species); and Natterer’s.

Bats and their roosts are protected by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 against reckless or deliberate disturbance, injury or death.

Bat species in England are threatened by the loss of roosting and foraging habitat in built-up areas and the countryside.

Mr Morrell said the project was on schedule to be handed over to promoter NEC next month.

Concerns grew that the NEC – which is tasked with bringing in artists – was still attached to the project.

The firm did not comment despite being approached by the BBC, but Morrell said he remained under contract to Bradford Live.