A planning report on the proposed new Aldi supermarket in Boyle has raised serious concerns.
It's emerged that a bat roost used by at least five bats could be destroyed if the development is granted planning permission.
The site on Patrick Street, where the German retailer seeks to build a new store, has become the focus of ecological scrutiny after an environmental assessment identified the presence of a bat roost and badger set.
Roscommon County Council has already delayed a final decision on the planning application, requesting further information from Aldi on several points, including the ecological impact of the store on bats and other wildlife.
Alex Muschketat from Wildlife West Rescue says the importance of ecological studies cannot be understated:
