14th June 2022

A mobile zoo named Zoo2U has submitted an application to Cheshire East Council to build a NEW zoo. Claiming they have ‘outgrown’ their existing property the company have big plans to build the new zoo on Twemlow Lane near Holmes Chapel. 

We do not need new zoos (or any zoos) in the 21st Century!

They plan to build enclosures to house the existing animals they hold captive plus red squirrels, pancake tortoises, golden lion tamarins (small primate) and turtle doves. 

Red squirrels live in the UK, they inhabit areas of pine woods mainly in coastal and inland areas. Their habitat has been destroyed  by humans over the past many years. We need to focus our efforts on rebuilding their homes and protecting their habitat, not putting them in cages.

Same goes for the golden tamarin, why keep them captive? They are from the wilds of southern Brazil, not a field in Cheshire. 

Keeping birds in cages, unable to fly, is horrendous. Why do we need to keep doves captive? We are used to seeing white doves and pigeons fly above us, why do we need to keep turtle doves locked up?

All this suffering for human entertainment!

There are many reasons why we don’t need to build new zoos, most of those reasons are for the animals they intend to imprison. Sadly, these reasons won't be considered in the planning process.

But, there are also other reasons why we should not be building new infrastructure especially in green areas like this proposal intends.

There are badgers living nearby and possibly other animals that this build will have a huge impact on their lives. Destroying their homes and their  ability to find food.

There are insufficient plans to deal with waste water and surface water, which could lead to further flooding that this area already suffers from. This could also pose a risk to the natural waters of the area including the three  ponds and a river that are nearby.

The road is not adequate to cope with the numbers of visitors that the company expects in this proposal.

We have taken away so much of our green spaces over the last 50 years. It is time we stop destroying natural habitats and focus on protecting what we have.

We have submitted an objection with the council. The deadline is 15th June 2022.

The premises will be based in Cheshire East at a farm named The Orchards. This is a dairy farm and we have been reliably informed that a director of the Cheshire East badger cull owns the land that the zoo is proposed to be built on. The hypocrisy of this is enormous especially in light of the claims of conservation being made in the proposal, in contrast with the killing of a protected species the badger cull entails.

Freedom for Animals urges Cheshire East Council to reject the planning application for a new zoo at The Orchards Farm Twemlow Lane, Holmes Chapel, CW4.

We do not need another zoo in 2022!