Sefton Council is facing a legal challenge over its decision to close the aviary at Southport's Botanic Gardens, with local campaign groups announcing they have issued a claim against the authority.
The council said it wants to close the bird attraction after concerns were raised about running costs and animal welfare. However, the plans have met stiff opposition from the local community.
Campaign Groups Take Legal Action
On social media, Save Our Aviary and the Botanic Gardens Community Association (BGCA) announced they are taking legal action against the council. The statement 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 June 30 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," the statement continued.
Commitment to Mediation
The groups said they had been left with no other option but to issue a claim after their efforts to engage with the council. The statement added: "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," the statement said.
"For now, given that legal proceedings have commenced, we will not be commenting on the detailed grounds of the claim."
Council Confirms Awareness of Challenge
The council made the decision to close the aviary, stating it "can no longer meet the physical, behavioural and psychological needs" of the animals. Sefton Council confirmed it was aware of the active, ongoing legal challenge.
