It looks like a housebuilder will have the final say in whether a “bat hotel” in Bordon will be rebuilt after being targeted by arsonists.

It’s taken several months to establish ownership of the now-demolished shed close to Oxney Way that housed several hundred bats.

There was much anger around Whitehill & Bordon when the small house-like structure was all but destroyed last November after being targeted by teenage arsonists.

But confusion followed the blaze as no-one took responsibility for the building with Barratts only recently owning up.

Whitehill Town Council, which has no involvement in the building, and their leader Cllr Andy Tree, made enquiries following the angry reaction from residents about the mindless arson.

“It’s not town council land but there was a big public outcry from some of the community when it burned down,” said Ray Ramsay, deputy town clerk, to the WTC Executive Committee.

“I’ve been emailing Taylor Wimpey Homes and the word for their response has been ‘sporadic’ as we’ve tried to get an update.

“But Barratt Homes have now said it’s theirs so that’s the update. Apparently there has been consultation with a company about replacing it but unfortunately, communication has been sparse.”

Councillors questioned if the ‘hotel’ needed replacing – one said WTC shouldn’t waste its time – as it’s on private land and its former nocturnal residents have long left the site.

Cllr Roger Russell suggested the hotel was built as a planning condition, so may need to be reconstructed.

“People have found it quite extraordinary that no-one is responsible for this facility and the police couldn’t even establish the owners,” said Cllr Tree.

“It was a big issue locally and people were quite upset by it. But we’ve identified who is responsible and what they’re doing, so we’ve done our bit.”