Up to 100 bats have delayed the building of a café extension in a £3.1 million park makeover.

They were found roosting in the roofspace of the old toilet block at Kearsney Abbey, Dover.

The team behind the Kearsney Parks project worked with ecologists to set up a careful conservation project so as not to disturb the animals.

New habitats have been created for them, including a replica shelter, and permanent boxes at various locations in the park.

This has been done in line with the relevant legislation, conservation regulations, and planning conditions.

Jenny Coller, Dover District Council’s project manager, said: "Preserving and enhancing the rich diversity of the parks has been foremost throughout the project.

"We’ve worked closely with our ecologists and licensed bat workers to ensure the project has provided multiple new, suitable roosts to keep the bat population thriving at Kearsney.”

The bat species found were predominantly soprano pipistrelle and common pipistrelle.

The Kearsney Parks project is funded by the National Lottery.

The new café extension includes brand new male and female toilets, along with a Changing Places facility for people with profound and multiple disabilities.

This includes an adjustable adult-size changing bench and tracking hoist system.

Workers moved in to demolish the former toilet block at the end of February.

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