A bat removal licence will be needed before the demolition of a local authority leisure centre can go ahead after one of the protected animals was found.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee has granted approval to knock down the building it owns on the town's Shadsworth estate.

On January 1, 2019, Blackburn with Darwen Council shut Shadsworth Leisure Centre as the fitness hub had been losing money.

The pool at the leisure centre, which first opened in 1974, had already closed for the final time on February 1, 2018.

On Thursday night the committee approved the demolition after planning manager Gavin Prescott told councillors: "The current condition of the building, its fire risk and presence of large quantities of asbestos both internally and externally results in it being impracticable to implement works to maintain the building."

It is anticipated the works will take 18 weeks commencing in September 2023 and completion being December 2023/January 2024.

The approval included a requirement for a bat removal licence before the demolition starts.

Mr Prescott's report said: "Regarding bat roosting potential, a Preliminary Roost Assessment has been submitted in support of the application.

"Although a low roosting potential has been identified within the building, the assessment identified at least one evening emergence survey is required to be undertaken during May to September.

"An additional bat survey has been undertaken at the site and the following comments have been provided by the ecologist, Mr Curtis Blank of Bowland Ecology: 'Following on from out second bat survey, a single bat was seen emerging. This means a licence will be required as demolition will involve destroying the bat roost.'

"A licence to remove any bats found prior to the demolition taking place has been commissioned by the council.

"The assurance provided by the ecologist confirms that any bats present within the building can be moved under licensing regimes ultimately demonstrates that the proposed method of demolition would not cause any adverse harm to protected species."

Conservative Cllr Jacqui Slater said it was 'ironic' the council's Labour administration was now proposing to knock down the centre, in view of the 'hue and cry' it raised in opposition in 2010 when her party (then leading a coalition running the borough) unsuccessfully tried to close it, adding: "This is laughable."

Council growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said after 13 years of Tory austerity and budget cuts circumstances had changed.

Cllr Jim Casey (Ewood, Labour) said: "It isn't fit for purpose and it has got asbestos in it.

"It has come to the end of its practical life."