A BAT consultant has been helping council planners to decide if they should allow new houses to be built in Golborne.

Stan Irwin conducted a bat survey on disused allotment land next to Edge Green Lane on which plans have been submitted to build two detached houses.

All British bats and their roosts are protected by law and Mr Irwin examined the site to check for the presence of bats after a local resident said bats were living on the land.

He looked for bat droppings, remains of prey items and stains made by regular use at crevice entrances but could not find any signs of the insectivorous creatures.

Mr Irwin said bats would probably use the site to "forage" but he concluded it was not an important area for that use.

He said: "Given the lack of trees or hedgerow in the area I would recommend that the tree on the site boundary be kept as bats use treelines both for foraging along and as commuting routes.

"Should committee be minded to approve the application, bearing in mind the suggested recommendation I do not see the proposed development as a threat to the conservation status of bats."

Council planners have deferred a decision on the plans until a site visit has taken place.

The council has received five letters of objections to the plans from local residents concerned over a number of other matters including loss of parking, damage to foundations of existing properties and increased traffic to the back of their homes.

A council report to the development control committee stated that the plans "appear to be in accordance with current council policy and National planning guidance".