A housing developer hopes to be building homes for more than just people in Baildon.

Antler Homes, which plans to build 17 detached houses behind Rowantree Avenue, has offered to install bat boxes on the properties after residents feared a colony of bats would be endangered by the development.

As previously reported, residents have collected a 100-signature petition against the development claiming that bats which roost in a barn that is due to be demolished will be left homeless.

But today Stephen Haigh, managing director of Antler Homes Yorkshire, confirmed that boxes for the bats - which are a protected species - would be installed on the outside of the new houses. He said work on the site - which has yet to be granted full approval - was scheduled for spring and it is hoped will be completed by the end of next year.

"We are looking forward to commencing work at this new site in Baildon," he said.

Bat boxes provide artificial roosts. They are placed as high as possible in sheltered and wind-free areas and an area around the box is cleared to allow bats direct and easy access to the entrance.

It is an offence to disturb, handle or kill bats. Only people with a license approved by a Special Nature Conservation Order are permitted to check the boxes.

But protesters say they will continue to fight the scheme all the way and are hoping their voices will be heard at a forthcoming meeting of Shipley Area Planning Panel, when councillors will consider the plans. They say traffic from the development will endanger children who play on Rowantree Avenue and the houses will obstruct the residents' view of the moors.

Protester Angela Hawkes said: "I am satisfied with what they have done about the bats, but there are other issues which we are concerned about. A lot of children live in this area and as it is a quiet cul-de-sac the children use it as a playground.

"But when the houses are built, at least another 30 cars will be using it, if not more, and will endanger the children. That, more than anything, is what really concerns us."

A date has yet to be set for when the application will be considered.