Campaigners protest over plans for animal zoo at Cheshire farm

Animal encounters business Zoo2U has applied to Cheshire East Council for permission to develop a small zoo and wildlife conservation park at Bidlea Dairy near Holmes Chapel.

The company, formed 10 years ago, has outgrown its former premises at Hall Farm in Alsager and hopes to develop a new visitor centre at the family dairy farm to promote learning and research.

Animal activists from Cheshire Against The Cull and Merseyside Animal Rights joined local campaigners to stage two protest demonstrations on Friday outside council offices in Sandbach and at the proposed site on Twemlow Lane.

Waving banners and placards, campaigners say ‘no animals should be kept in captivity’ and urge planners to reject the bid.

Nicky Brooks, from Davenham, said: “If they are wild animals, leave them in the wild.

“They shouldn’t keep wild animals in captivity for any reason, it is cruelty.

Nicky Brooks, second from left, joins protestors at Bidlea Farm

“It is 2022, not 1922. We are not in Victorian times when this was the norm.

“We don’t need to shut animals in a box in a farm in Cheshire.”

Children can learn about wildlife, say activists, in many other ways.

“There are loads of films on television and the Internet and endless information is available,” said Nicky.

“We are a voice for defenceless animals.”

Zoo staff plan to introduce children to endangered species, such as red squirrels, pancake tortoises, golden lion tamarins and turtle doves.

Protestor Katy Brown, from Merseyside Animal Rights, said: “We don’t think this teaches children a good way of viewing animals.

“There are other opportunities to learn about animals in their natural habitat.

“Children can enjoy watching birds in the wild at a bird feeder in the garden or go out badger watching.

“Birds should be able to fly. This could be compared to prison.

Animal protection campaigners mount a protest at Bidlea Farm on Twelmlow Lane, where the new zoo is set to open

“Golden tamarins belong in the wilds of Brazil. We are concerned that they intend to house these animals in ‘single storey’ buildings.

“Tamarins need to be able to escape upwards and should be able to rest above the eyeline of humans.

“Red squirrels live in the UK. Their habitat has been destroyed by humans over many years.

“We need to focus our efforts on protecting and regenerating their habitat, not putting them in cages.”

A spokesman for Zoo2U said: "Zoo2U has been operating for more than 10 years.

"In that time we have added significant value to the community, specifically inspiring the next generation of conservationists and zoologists.

"This proposal is simply a relocation of our existing collection. 

"To date we have never had any issues from animal rights. 

"Regarding the proposed site. It is grazing land, used frequently by cattle, and is not a natural habitat."

A design and access statement as part of the planning application, prepared by Richard Lee Project Planning on behalf of the applicant, said: “With more than 30 years of experience in conservation and animal care, we are hoping to redirect our path to create a small wildlife park, which will house our existing collection and eventually expand to incorporate some small to medium sized endangered species.

“As a community focused enterprise, we will seek to engage the local community with education, conservation, sustainability, research and destination.”

The team already introduce children to a wide range of birds, reptiles and mammals on interactive educational visits to schools.

“Knowledge can only be gained through research and this can only benefit animals in captivity as well as those needing to be conserved in the wild,” said the Zoo2U spokesman.

The plans would see a visitor centre, alongside amenity buildings and animal enclosures.

Adam Brown, who runs Bidlea Farm with his family, said: “We’re trying to educate the public and provide a learning centre for children.

“This isn’t going to be anything like Chester Zoo.

“It’s more like a petting farm where children can hold and stroke animals.

“We’re getting a buzz out of the educational side.”

For more details on the plans, search reference 22/1435C on the council’s online planning portal.