The Aviary at the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport has won a reprieve after proposals to shut the 87-year-old attraction were today shelved.
Sefton Council announced this summer that the facility is due to close next year due to animal welfare concerns, with the 180 birds there due to be rehomed.
But following a fierce public campaign to save the Aviary, with over 25,000 people signing petitions to keep it, the council says it is now halting its closure plans.
Instead it will launch a public consultation to see what people think.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “As has already been publicised, Sefton Council has received a legal challenge over an operational decision to close the Aviary at Botanic Gardens in Southport.
“Fighting a legal challenge requires significant expense and this cost is an unfair and unnecessary burden on the Sefton taxpayer.
“As a result of this challenge the operational decision in question has been rescinded by the Local Authority.
“Sefton Council will now conduct a public consultation into the future of the Aviary which will include animal welfare, rising financial demands, current infrastructure and future operational challenges.
“Details of this consultation will be published in due course.”
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said:
“This is good news, and I’m pleased that there is now a positive way forward.
“I’d encourage everyone to engage well with the consultation, and to focus on the wider issues of how to make sure Botanic Gardens and all the parks and green spaces across Sefton get the support and investment they need from government, civil society and all other stakeholders.”
A legal challenge was recently issued over Sefton Council’s proposals to close the Aviary.
The Botanic Gardens Community Association, alongside the Save Our Aviary campaign, said they have “reluctantly taken the decision to issue a claim in relation to Sefton Council’s decision concerning the aviary”.
Make A Change For Botanic Founder David Rawsthorne said:
“This is absolutely amazing news! Public opinion has clearly finally been heard.
“I’m so happy for David and Ann Cobham and all the volunteers at the Botanic Gardens Community Association, and most importantly the birds and wildlife that now have a home and security still.”
Botanic Gardens Community Association (BGCA) and Save Our Aviary campaign said:
“We are delighted that Sefton Council have chosen to rescind their decision to close Botanic Gardens Aviary.
“This outcome follows months of public support, community engagement and constructive dialogue, demonstrating the depth of feeling residents, visitors and supporters have for the Aviary and its place within Botanic Gardens.
“We also warmly welcome Sefton Council’s announcement that a public consultation will be undertaken regarding the Aviary’s future.
“We look forward to meeting with Council representatives to understand the proposed format, scope and timescales of the consultation process and to ensure the voices of residents, volunteers, stakeholders and visitors are fully heard.
“The BGCA and Save Our Aviary campaign remain committed to working positively and collaboratively with Sefton Council to help secure a sustainable and successful future for the Aviary, while recognising its importance to the heritage, education and enjoyment of generations of park users.
“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Southport community, to Patrick Hurley MP, to those who signed our petitions, and to all those who have actively supported our campaign to Save Our Aviary.”
In a statement, they said: “We became aware of the decision on 30 June and throughout July and August sought to engage constructively with Sefton Council in the hope that a way forward could be found without the need for legal proceedings.
“Taking legal action was not a step we wanted to take, and it has not been taken lightly. However, after our efforts to engage with the Council, we ultimately felt that we had been left with no other option but to issue a claim.
“Both the BGCA and Save Our Aviary campaign remain committed to finding a constructive resolution.
“We sincerely hope that mediation will provide an opportunity for the parties to come together, discuss the issues and resolve matters without the need for the proceedings to go any further than necessary.
“For now, given that legal proceedings have commenced, we will not be commenting on the detailed grounds of the claim.”
Over 25,000 people have signed petitions calling for the Aviary to be saved.
In July, Sefton Council cited animal welfare, ageing infrastructure, financial sustainability and the suitability of the existing facility as reasons for closure of the Aviary.
They said: “Nobody is calling into question the care and kindness shown by staff and volunteers to these birds over the decades but the fact remains this facility is simply no longer in the best interests of the animals who are kept there.
“I have seen numerous comments from people telling us that this decision has nothing to do with animal welfare. Experts do not share that same view.”
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