NESTING jackdaws could delay the demolition of an Upton eyesore for another two months, it has emerged.

Hoarding was erected around the Greenridge pub site, last month, after brewery boss Anthony Woodhouse secured a demolition order from district planning chiefs.

Staff from the Blandford-based Hall and Woodhouse Brewery had been working on a project to transform the Greenridge, which has sat derelict for more than three years, into an elderly care home.

However, the care home company they were locked in talks with pulled out of the deal in December, citing poor economic conditions.

“Before demolition could start we had to double-check utilities and the ecology situation on site,” explained brewery property head Liz Abraham.

“Bizarrely we found a second gas main that had to be dealt with.

“Then we sent in experts to ensure there were no bats nesting in the roof of the building, as some time had elapsed since the last survey.

“They found no bats, but there were jackdaws and jackdaws are protected birds.”

Now the demolition crew has been forced to down tools until wildlife experts can determine if the birds are nesting and, if so, how many eggs they’ve laid.

Ms Abraham explained: “If after being monitored over the next few days it turns out more than one egg has been laid, then the demolition could be put back up to eight weeks.”

Workmen would be effectively grounded until the chicks had flown the nest.

Ms Abraham added: “As soon as we are sure everything is safe and the ecology is being protected properly, the building will be demolished.

“We are trying to keep everyone informed.”

A Purbeck District Council spokesman confirmed: “Hall and Woodhouse formally notified Purbeck District Council in February of this year of their intention to demolish the building.”

At this stage it is not known what is planned for the site.