SIR Andy Murray has been urged to check for bats as he plans to make renovations at his luxury five-star hotel. The double Wimbledon champion, 37, has applied to make repairs and alterations to an outbuilding in the grounds of Cromlix House near Dunblane. 4 Andy Murray bought the Cromlix hotel in 2013 Credit: Verena Splett 4 Wife Kim has led on making improvements to the property Credit: CROMLIX 4 It cost Murray £1.
8m to buy in 2013 Credit: BBC Plans lodged with Stirling Council revealed Murray and his wife Kim want to install a new slate roof on the building and fit new roof lights. But the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) have warned roosting bats could impact plans if the creatures are discovered. Bats are a protected species under UK law and it is illegal to kill, possess or handle them without a licence or to cause them harm or disturb their habitat in any way.
The SWT said: "Due to the structure of this building/roof and its location for bat foraging, please alert the applicant to their legal duties to bats found on site. Read more Sport stories GOLF COAST 500 The best golf courses on Scotland's NC500 - including the 'mini Gleneagles' 'WARRIOR, LEGEND' Andy Murray immortalised in huge mural at landmark venue in hero's career "There have been bat surveys completed for other structures at the Cromlix site and perhaps this has also been surveyed in anticipation of replacing the roof, so appropriate recommendations have been made by the ecologist commissioned. "Please require a survey as a condition of planning permission if not.
"All bats and bat roosts, including bat roosts not currently in use, are fully protected by law under The Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994, as amended. "The reason this protection includes bat roosts which are not currently in use, is that bats use different roost-sites at different times of year." Most read in Sport ALL KICKING OFF Moment ex-Gers star left in agony as off-field clash sparks dugout drama IN THE WORKS Document shows Gers HAVE applied for planning permission for Celtic fan nets WHISTLEBLOWER Fuming Killie boss McInnes slams Italian ref as ex-Celt wins disputed penalty FCK 2 KILLIE 0 Fuming away fans lob MISSILES at ref as controversial calls deny Danish draw Murray also wants to make alterations to the rear of category-C listed Cromlix with proposed work including filling stair voids, creating access for maintenance and reinstating an entrance door.
He was given the go-ahead last year to build a ‘wellness cottage’ at the hotel but had to create an alternative bat area and install bat-friendly lighting and bat boxes. Andy Murray and wife Kim's latest career move revealed as Scottish sporting icon adjusts to life after tennis Murray bought the 15-room venue near his home town for almost £2 million in 2013 and it has become the venue for several family celebrations. The tennis hero held his wedding reception at the hotel in 2015 and his elder brother Jamie was also married there.
4 Cromlix reopened in March last year following a three-month refurbishment programme overseen by Kim. A decision will be made on the new plans in due course. Our New YouTube Channel Subscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.
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