Bats stop Azpilicueta bulldozing £3.6m mansion to build seven-bed super-home

Cesar Azpilicueta's plans to build a new seven-bedroom mansion near Chelsea’s Cobham training ground have had to be put on hold owing to a colony of bats.

The Blues captain wishes to design a deluxe new home featuring an indoor swimming pool, gym, and cinema, but in order for construction to press ahead, an existing build must be razed.

The only trouble is, that build is swarming two different types of protected bat.

A survey revealed that the £3.6million property set to be demolished harbours the protected bat species soprano pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats.

An ecologist told The Sun: "The removal of the dwelling house to enable the development would result in the destruction and loss of all bats roosts and future bat roosting opportunity and would be unlawful unless implemented under the auspices of a bat licence."

Azpilicueta would have to apply for a bat licence before work can commence on the mansion, as well as set up at least three bat boxes in nearby trees.

However, the Spaniard’s planning agent is not happy with the findings and has demanded a second bat survey.

He said toThe Sun:"Appropriate surveys were carried out and the findings concluded that the bat survey findings are robust and there is no reason to suspect that a more significant bat roost exists in the building, requiring the need for further bat survey or assessment."

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The defender featured for Thomas Tuchel’s side in their thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the weekend.

With barely seconds played in the encounter, the veteran collided with Sadio Mane, the Reds attacker leading with his elbow.

Mane was reprimanded with just a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor, but Azpilicueta's insisted that the challenge was a “clear red.”

Azpilicueta told Sky Sports: “It’s a clear red, I don’t mind if it’s five seconds into the game and the first actions, it’s a clear red.

“He doesn’t want to challenge, he doesn’t want to see the ball, he just wants to hit with the elbow. Honestly, I don’t understand it.

“The other day we had two penalties where VAR didn’t come, today the first action is a clear red card.

“Of course, we are getting these decisions against us that of course could change the way of the game.”

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