The bats have been roosting in the former Auchenback Primary School building in Auburn Drive.

Demolition began on the 1960s building earlier this year, however it has been halted after only half the building was demolished after the bats, thought to be a breed known as the Common Pipistrelle, were discovered.

The building was due to be replaced by a £3.6 million early years centre, including a new Arthurlie Nursery.

While the bats are not currently living in building having migrated elsewhere, their home in the roof of the larger part of the building is protected by British and EU law.

East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) said it does not have a timescale for when work can resume, saying “nature can not be rushed”.

A spokeswoman for ERC said: “We have demolished a large part of the building. Our next step is to carry out a bat survey. You can’t hurry nature and we need to wait for the bats to return to Auchenback which should be sometime in May where they could stay until the Autumn. For this reason we expect the results of the bat survey to be concluded in the latter end of the year.

“Once this is complete we will be in a better position to set timescales.” In Britain all bat species and their roosts are legally protected, by both domestic and international legislation.

ERC’s spokeswoman continued: “This means the council would be committing a criminal offence if we intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat in its roost or deliberately disturb a group of bats, damage or destroy a bat roosting place, even if bats are not occupying the roost at the time, or intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost.” However one Auchenback resident believes he bats should have been dealt with months ago, and feels the council are “dragging their heels”.

Rita Connelly, of Fenwick Avenue, said: “It has been months now and its starting to feel like they are dragging their heels over this.

“I know their hands are tied with the bats but they have known about them for a long time and something could have been done before now.” There is now no set time scale and parents and staff at Arthurlie Nursery have to wait to find out when the construction can go ahead.

Currently half of the former school has been demolished, with the kitchens, games hall and infant block being razed by bulldozers in February.

However the two storey section which contained senior students still stands.

The school was closed amidst falling pupil numbers in 2012 and merged with Springhill Primary School.