Tebay Parish Council opposes plans for ‘wild animal reserve’

Tebay Parish Council has objected to plans submitted by New Roots Holding Company Ltd to create a visitor attraction and wild animal reserve at Brockholes Farm. This comes after the operators of South Lakes Safari Zoo left the Dalton attraction on December 31. In a planning consultation the parish council said the proposed structures at the visitor attraction would not be in keeping with the surroundings.

The parish council state: "The development, especially the giraffe enclosure, would be visible from the road and the public right of way, as well as from the M6 motorway. "The structures are not thought to be in keeping with this very special landscape. It is not clear how the new buildings would be screened from view."

The site masterplan (Image: Stephenson Halliday) According to planning documents, the proposed attraction would consist of animal enclosures as well as an expansion of the existing holiday accommodation with the addition of three shepherds' huts and two safari lodges. It is also proposed that one of the existing holiday cottages would also be converted to a cafe and a welcome centre would be constructed on the site. Planning documents submitted by the applicant say the design has sought to work with the 'landscape and special qualities' of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The planning statement adds: "The Applicant intends to cease operations at the Safari Zoo in Dalton and develop a more integrated and smaller scale visitor attraction at Brockholes Farm to align with their priorities, values and vision. "Built development has been kept to a minimum with a landscape led approach to design. The space on offer at the site means the animals will have greater access to enjoy their surroundings which is part of the applicant's focus on animal welfare."

Plans state it is the applicant's intention to house animals including white rhinos, honey badgers, zebras, red panda, sloth, giraffe and lynx. There would also be farm animals on site including sheep, goats, donkeys and reindeer. The proposed development is expected to generate approximately GBP4 million worth of investment and 12 additional employment opportunities, plans add.

The planning statement says: "The proposal encapsulates the applicant's vision to create a unique and intimate wild animal experience in the Yorkshire Dales National Park (YDNP) which would expand and diversify the existing holiday let business at Brockholes Farm, which the Applicant has been successfully operating since 2022. "'Into the Wilds' visitor attraction would be established as a pre-bookable, wild animal reserve with restricted access providing a unique and educational experience for guests, conveying the importance of conservation and providing visitors with an understanding of the current threats to a selection of wild species found at the site." Tebay Parish Council also raised concerns that the access from the main A685 road is 'poor' with a lack of visibility splays at the entrance.

However planning documents say the proposed experience is 'small and controlled' and therefore will not have an 'unacceptable' impact on the local road network. According to the management plan submitted with the application, the maximum number of spaces available to stay in the onsite accommodation at any one time will be 38 guests over nine separate accommodation units. This would allow for a maximum number of day visitors of 41 guests; however plans state the booking system would operate by having available spaces to book onto an encounter which could all be filled by holiday accommodation guests and therefore the actual number of day visitors is expected to be less than this number.

This planning application is under consideration by the YDNPA.

References

1. ^ South Lakes Safari Zoo: Updates on animal rehoming as safari closes (www.nwemail.co.uk)
2. ^ South Lakes Safari Zoo operators submit plans for 'wild animal reserve' (www.nwemail.co.uk)