A FORMER school near Ruthin could be demolished to make way for new homes – although an ecological survey has concluded bats could be present at the site.

Roberts Homes has applied to Denbighshire County Council’s planning department, seeking permission to knock down the former Ysgol Y Rhewl.

The village school closed in 2018 when pupils moved to the newly built Rhos Street School.

The applicant plans to demolish the school and replace the building with eight homes, including access, a parking area, landscaping and associated works.

P.J Ecological Solutions were commissioned by Roberts Homes to undertake a protected species survey of the former school, concluding the building had a “high potential” to support bat roosts.

The report reads: “No bats or evidence thereof or nesting birds or evidence thereof were identified during the inspection.

“However, the former school has been categorised as having high potential to support roosting bats, and numerous nesting opportunities were identified.

“Further, the inspection was undertaken at the very end of the summer roosting period and outside of peak nesting season.

“As such, bat activity surveys and further inspections for active bird nests will be required to determine whether any roosts are present or whether the building is being used by nesting birds.”

The report concluded: “No assessment of the potential impact of the development on bats or nesting birds is therefore possible at this stage.

“An assessment, and recommendations as appropriate, should be made following appropriate surveys.”

The application has now been registered with Denbighshire Council, and the development will be debated at a future planning committee meeting at the council’s County Hall HQ.