Bat hurdle for man seeking to demolish 'flood' home

A man is seeking permission to demolish his own cottage in Wellington, near Hereford, because repeated flooding has made it a liability.

However, a Herefordshire Council ecology officer has opposed the bid to take down the former stable near the village's brook.

In his application, homeowner Nick Jones said he had spent 10 years maintaining and repairing his home, including installing flood defences, but Vinery Cottage in Mill Lane was uninsurable, uninhabitable and could not be rented.

Ecology officer James Bisset said the building offered potential features for bat roosting which "has previously been recorded in the locality".

Papers said Mr Jones was not able to insure the building or contents, and maintenance and repair costs after successive floods exceeded any realistic rental value.

He said: "I spent 10 years converting it at considerable cost. Then we had the storm damage, which has cost me about £40,000 each time to repair."

He fitted flood gates and reinforced walls after Storm Dennis in 2020, but they weren't enough to keep out two floods last winter, Mr Jones said, adding: "If someone can think of another option I'd jump at it."

The building is not listed and has no adjacent properties or trees that would be affected, the application said.

The closest building is the Vinery, also owned by Mr Jones.

Comments on the plans can be made until 13 June.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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