Animal sanctuary wins planning fight to stay

The owners of an animal rescue centre which has saved wallabies, tortoises and birds of prey can continue their work at its current home after councillors backed a retrospective planning application.

South Yorkshire Terrapin and Tortoise Rescue in Laughton-en-le-Morthen, Rotherham, has previously also saved animals ranging from meerkats and pigs to goats and ferrets.

Beverley Alderton-Sambrook, from the centre, told Rotherham Council's planning board that it had provided temporary care for animals on behalf of organisations including the RSPCA.

Despite the application being opposed by some neighbours, the council found the animals were well cared for and permission was granted.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), there had been six objections to the application, with 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 the village was the right location.

He highlighted previous escapes by wallabies which were later found in nearby Brookhouse.

Downing told councillors: "This made containment a real issue rather than hypothetical."

Extra fencing was subsequently installed following RSPCA advice, councillors heard.

An animal welfare officer who had visited the site with a senior veterinary surgeon found the animals were well cared for and had plenty of water, the meeting was told.

Planning officers said they accepted the rescue centre 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.

Among the animals cared for at the centre are four birds of prey rescued by the RSPCA following a house fire and a kestrel found locally with a damaged wing.

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