Developer Richard Sears has been told not to expect a decision on developing three homes at Manea until planners have considered a 20 page report on bats.

Mr Sears, through his Isle of Man Cambridge Property Company, applied to Fenland Council to demolish the derelict properties at 48 Station Road and replace them with three chalet style bungalows.

Fenland Council will consider the report by specialists who say to date the only evidence of “foraging activity in the former of scattered droppings” has been found in the ground floor of the buildings.

However the report was called for following the discovery of potential roost features between the roof tiles and roof lining membrane on part of the buildings.

The report suggests that if any roosts are found, compensatory provision could be provided by a garage loft space with internal flaying area, a purpose built bat building with internal flying area and roost provision, or pole mounted bat boxes.

An original application for four homes on the site was rejected but Mr Sears is hopeful three will be approved following a fresh round of public consultation, allaying fears over impact on neighbours by better design, and insisting all of the homes will be within Flood Zone 1 and therefore safe to occupy.

His agents also countered original objections about scale and layout by claiming by insisting “we do not consider that the proposals would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area”.

Manea Parish Council, who supported the original application, has also supported the revised bid.