By Kelly Eve Education Reporter

Last updated at 14:20, Tuesday, 17 November 2009

The creation of west Cumbria’s £26 million academy school has been delayed by a year because of bats.

Mick Farley

The new West Lakes Academy in Egremont will not open now until September 2012.

Bats are living in the existing library in the former Wyndham School, where the academy now operates. It needs to be demolished to make way for the new development.

Natural England has refused a licence, which would enable the bats to be removed and rehomed, before planning permission has been given.

Plans for the academy will not be submitted until next spring, after proposals to build an academy in Carlisle have been decided.

Cumbria County Council is expected to consider the plans for the Richard Rose Morton Academy in Carlisle next Tuesday.

It will also allow Natural England to grant a bat licence after the creatures have hibernated over the winter.

The delay results in a tight schedule that leaves no room for unforeseen problems which could emerge.

There is also a great risk that critical dates - such as planning consent, ICT procurement and the main works - could be affected.

Mick Farley, WLA’s chairman of governors, said: “The new timetable is based on education considerations and the mitigation of risks.

“It provides the academy with absolute certainty and will enable us to plan accordingly, including commissioning some expert help to support the senior leadership team to manage the extensive and intensive range of activities associated with the building programme.”

It will also allow the school to respond fully to its recent Ofsted report and allow necessary improvements to be made in teaching, learning and student achievement.

It will allow the academy time for a well-managed move into its new building.

First published at 11:37, Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk