A VICTORIAN farmhouse has been torn down by a developer just one week after Bolton Council refused planning permission for the site.

Residents have reported Westchurch Homes to the police because of the presence in the building of bats, a protected species.

The Bolton company was refused permission for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of 13 new homes at Lostock House Farm in Hall Lane.

However, neighbours to the site were woken by the noise of heavy machinery in the early hours of Saturday and were shocked to find a digger tearing down the heritage building.

Andrew Roberts, who lives in Lostock Hall Gatehouse, and objected to the original application said: "I was saddened, surprised and alarmed to be woken by the demolition of the farmhouse.

"They clearly made a conscious effort to go down there on a Saturday morning, when the council offices are closed and they have pulled down a piece of Bolton’s history.

"They have shown blatant disregard to Bolton Council, the wildlife that lived in there and the building itself.

"They have destroyed one of the few historic buildings that are left in Bolton."

Westchurch Homes said that they had demolished the building because it was "structurally unsound" and was at "significant risk of collapse."

Mr Roberts said that a member of staff from the company was on site overseeing the operation on Saturday.

In a statement the developers said: "The degree of dereliction was noted when the walls collapsed when subjected to the lightest first touch of the demolition machine as the wall no longer had any mortar securing it.

"It is a relief that during its recent unauthorised use, pressure had not been applied to this elevation of the building as it could easily have caused a collapse.

"The local community can now breathe a sigh of relief that they and they and their children are no longer exposed to such a hazardous potential playground, particularly given the time of year and the imminent close down of the construction industry.

"This would have rendered the risk for a further month had the demolition not been urgently undertaken."

Ward councillor Stephen Pickup said that he was aware that a number of his residents had already reported the company to the police.

He added: "It is not acceptable at all. I was involved with helping the residents to get this refused and I could not believe it when they called me up on Saturday to explain what had happened.

"It is shocking really, to go through the process and then just when they don't get what they want they just go ahead with it anyway.

"The concern now is that they will end up getting away with it but all we can do is pursue it through the correct channels and hope that the council and the police will do what they can."

The application was refused by planning officers using delegated powers and one of the reasons for refusal was because of the impact on the significance of a piece of Bolton's heritage.

The decision notice stated: "Whilst the applicant has submitted viability information to justify that the approved development is not viable with the retention of the farmhouse, it is not considered that the submission adequately looks at other options for retaining and converting the farmhouse building given its historic importance.

"It is therefore considered that the proposed development would result in the loss of a non-designated heritage asset and the public benefits associated with the proposal are not considered to outweigh this harm."

A report attached to the plans also suggested that there were bats living in the roof of the building.

A spokesman for Lancashire Wildlife Trust said: "We were not aware of the specific details of this case but it is essential that bats are protected."

Guidance on the Bat Conservation Trust website says that as bats are European protected species any destruction to them or their roosts is classed as a criminal offence.

Since the demolition Westchurch Homes has notified Bolton Council of their actions under the Town and Country Planning Order 2015.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "This work has been undertaken without our approval. We are investigating what has happened and will consider what appropriate action to take."

Mr Roberts has written to the council to "bring this behaviour to justice."