Hotel planned for rare bats

The Lesser Horseshoe bat is very rare in the UK

A specialist "bat hotel" is planned in Gloucestershire after the discovery of the Lesser Horseshoe bat in the Forest of Dean.

The rare bat was discovered on the site of the former Northern United Colliery in Cinderford, recently bought by the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA).

The RDA, English Nature and a specialist bat consultant are now working on a purpose-built hotel to ensure the species' future in the region.

Up to 100 bats, protected by law, have been discovered occupying the dilapidated buildings at Northern United, many of which date from the 1950s.

These are rare bats in Britain, confined to Western England, Wales and Western Ireland Sharon Bracken Bat consultant

Katherine West, the RDA's Gloucestershire Regeneration Manager, said: "Since the bats are very rare we have decided to erect a specialised bat hotel to ensure their safety.

"We are duty bound to rehouse them and this gives us the opportunity to provide them with something special that can accommodate their varied needs."

The RDA is working with Sharon Bracken, a licensed bat worker on the design of the new residence, with support from English Nature.

She added: 'We've discovered a breeding roost of Lesser Horseshoe bats in one of the buildings: these are rare bats in Britain, confined to Western England, Wales and Western Ireland.

The RDA has also agreed to fund the instillation of infrared CCTV cameras to enable bat specialists and enthusiasts the opportunity to observe the bats without disturbing them.