Bat survey is apparently holding up work being done to Hamond Grammar School site in Swaffham

A bat survey is apparently holding back work being done to a derelict town centre building.

There have been concerns raised about the former Hamond’s Grammar School site in the town centre numerous times at Swaffham Town Council.

The latest news is that bat surveys were supposed to be held before the end of May.

Breckland councillor Judy Anscombe brought Swaffham Town Council up to date on the situation at last Wednesday’s full meeting.

Mayor Lindsay Beech asked what the timeline would be on getting the historic building restored.

She said that Breckland District Council has requested a timeline of when work will begin to restore the building - which was purchased by new owners last year.

The historic building has been unoccupied for a lengthy period of time and it is still unknown as to what it will be used for.

Cllr Anscombe said: “We have requested a timeline and are hopeful that they [the owners] will get this survey done.

“I am on the case, and we will see what happens.”

Cllr Anscombe seemed hopeful at a meeting held earlier this year that work would progress on the derelict building, located just off the Market Place.

The empty 18th Century schoolhouse has previously been branded an “eyesore” of the town.

The former boarding grammar school was home to an antique shop for a time. The site was vacant and boarded up in 2009 and was suffering from decay and neglect.

The site has been subject to vandalism and arson attacks, and the level of repair required is thought to have increased over the years.