Animal sanctuary wins fight to stay
A Rotherham rescue centre caring for more than 150 animals has been given permission to stay on Green Belt land despite concerns from neighbours.
Wallabies saved from being put down and an injured kestrel are among more than 150 animals which have been given a safe haven at a Rotherham rescue centre.
The unusual collection of residents at South Yorkshire Terrapin and Tortoise Rescue also includes owls, meerkats, pigs, goats, ferrets and dozens of tortoises.
Now the centre, tucked away off Kingswood Avenue in Laughton-en-le-Morthen, has been given permission to stay after councillors backed a retrospective planning application.
Among the animals to have passed through its gates is a tortoise found in a Rotherham park with a badly damaged shell.
Four birds of prey rescued by the RSPCA following a house fire were also cared for there while their owner's aviary was rebuilt.
And a kestrel found locally with a damaged wing several weeks ago is recuperating at the centre before being released back into the wild.
Three wallabies were taken in after facing euthanasia.
Beverley Alderton-Sambrook, speaking for the rescue, told Rotherham Council's planning board that the centre had provided temporary care for animals on behalf of organisations including the RSPCA.
But its future on the green belt site had been opposed by some neighbours.
Six objections raised concerns including noise, smells, traffic and animal welfare.
Kevin Downing, chairman of Laughton-en-le-Morthen Parish Council, said the parish supported animal rescue work but questioned whether this was the right location.
He highlighted previous escapes by wallabies which were later found in nearby Brookhouse, telling councillors: “This made containment a real issue rather than hypothetical.”
Extra fencing was subsequently installed following RSPCA advice.
And an animal welfare officer who visited with a senior veterinary surgeon found the animals were well cared for and had plenty of water.
Planning officers accepted the rescue was technically inappropriate development in the Green Belt but said its animal welfare benefits amounted to the “very special circumstances” needed to allow it.
Councillors agreed and granted permission subject to conditions.