Demolition of Baildon hall delayed due to hibernating bats

Work to pull down Ian Clough Hall in the town centre was due to begin last month and last until March.

But it has now been revealed that a new survey of the building will be needed “because bats have been found in the hall.”

And with the survey having to wait until the winged mammals come out of hibernation in Spring, the work to demolish the 1970s building is likely to rumble on much later than planned.

The hall’s demolition is part of a £1.44m shake up of the library service in Baildon.

Baildon Library left the hall last year, finding a temporary home in a former newsagent on Northgate.

The service, and offices of Baildon Town Council, will move into the former Baildon Social Club – located next to Ian Clough Hall, later this year once the building has been converted and refurbished.

Ian Clough Hall (Image: newsquest)

Bradford Council plans to sell the site Ian Clough Hall stands on for a “high quality development,” although it will retain some of the hall’s parking space for the town.

A demolition application submitted by Bradford Council last year said the hall, which was described as “uneconomic to run and surplus to requirements” would be pulled down early in 2023.

With work yet to start, the Telegraph & Argus asked Bradford Council what the delay was.

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “Preparations to demolish Ian Clough Hall are now complete, however, because bats have been found in the hall we need to resurvey the building and follow Natural England rules on conserving the protected species.

“This needs to be done after the bats have come out of hibernation in Spring.

“We will begin marketing the building in mid-February and look forward to seeing a high quality development that supports the vitality and regeneration of Baildon village centre.

“Preparations to build the new library are underway and the project represents a significant investment in Baildon by the Council.

“To reduce local disruption, we have converted the site at the back of the building into a construction compound and we will start stripping the old club building over the coming weeks.

“Once this is finished we will assess the building and start the construction.

“This should be complete by end of 2023 when Baildon will be able to enjoy a fantastic new library in one of its heritage buildings.”