Council facing legal challenge over aviary closure plans

Campaign group ‘Save Our Aviary & Botanic Gardens Community Association’ (BGCA) said it had “reluctantly” taken the decision to issue a claim after failed efforts to engage with the council.

The council acknowledged the action but said it would not provide a comment on the “ongoing legal matter”.

The Botanic Gardens Aviary in Churchtown first opened in 1939, and is home to several bird species, including different types of parrots, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

According to the BBC, the council made the decision to close it as part of its budget-setting process in February, but later said the decision was mainly due to concerns about animal welfare.

A campaign to save the aviary was launched in the summer, and more than 15,000 people have signed petitions calling for it to be saved. 

In a statement, BGCA said: “The BGCA, alongside the Save Our Aviary campaign, has reluctantly taken the decision to issue a claim in relation to Sefton Council’s decision concerning the aviary.

“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.”

It added: “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.”

Lottie Winson