POLICE were called to an “eco-school” over fears that bats could be killed.

Residents living near Dorothy Stringer School in Loder Road, Brighton, called the police accusing the school of potentially destroying bat habitats as part of work to build a new artificial football pitch.

Neighbours have been calling for environmental surveys into two species of endangered bat believed to live at the school.

But when diggers arrived on the school fields yesterday morning tempers flared.

Council planners have told the school they are not allowed to start work until ecological surveys have been approved.

But yesterday morning workers appeared to be starting work removing trees.

David Alderton, chairman of the Preston Park and Fiveways Local Action Team, said: “Many people – including the parents of pupils at Stringer – are very upset by what is going on.

“There are at least two species of bat there, and birds’ nests are potentially being destroyed illegally as well, as a result of this unauthorised development work.

“I think this sets an appalling example for the pupils at this eco-school – it sends a message that wildlife is completely expendable and you do not need to consider it seriously when undertaking large-scale development work.

“Bats are strictly protected in this country.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “At 11.50am on Tuesday we received a call from a local resident that bats were being endangered in woodland next to Dorothy Stringer School, Loder Road, Brighton.

“A PCSO attended, confirmed that the issue had nothing to do with the police and advised the caller to speak to the council planning department.”

Brighton and Hove City Council could not confirm whether or not the school was acting in breach of planning policy yesterday.

However, a spokesman said: “The school has actively approached us regarding their obligations about bats under the planning consent.

“As the planning authority, we’ll be making sure that all planning conditions for this project are met.”

Dorothy Stringer has had eco-school status for more than 10 years – an international programme aimed at getting pupils involved in Green projects.

The Argus repeatedly contacted Dorothy Stringer about the allegations but no one from the school responded.