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Saturday, 22 November 2008
'Noisy' bird sanctuary fine threat lifted
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Written by Kenny   
Monday, 22 January 2007
'Noisy' bird sanctuary fine threat lifted



Owls of protest!
A BIRD sanctuary which was facing a £20,000 fine for being too noisy has been told it is safe from prosecution.
The Three Owls sanctuary in Norden, near Rochdale, was told by Rochdale council staff that it will not face prosecution unless there are further complaints of noise nuisance.
The birds have quietened down since light coming from the house of the person who made the complaint was switched off at night.

Sanctuary manager Nigel Fowler was relieved, but unhappy that the complaint had been brought in the first place.
He said: "As far as I can see, it's been a total waste of everybody's time and expense.
"We had to put a considerable amount of time into it and this is not what people raised money for. The money should go into helping the birds, not justifying the fact that they are here.
"Three trustees have been involved in this and I reckon the bill amounts to £500 of wasted money, which is a quarter of what it costs to run the sanctuary each week."
The trouble started last month when shocked workers received a council letter warning them to quell "excessive noise" coming from its gull pen.
Workers said a bright security light outside Pauline Savage's house, in Wolstenholme Fold, was at least partly to blame.
Mr Fowler had 28 days to quell the noise or face the possibility of court action. He discovered there would be no further action on Thursday.
He said: "Environmental health said they have no further issue. Since the lights have been turned out the birds have been quiet, so they are not going to take it any further.
"I'm relieved it's all sorted out. We've been in Norden for 37 years and never had a problem until now.
"I've had dozens and dozens of phone calls and emails backing the sanctuary, including one from Canada."
Coun Ted Flynn, who described the noise abatement request as "ridiculous", said: "This is a victory for common sense."
A council spokesman confirmed no action was to be taken. "Court action was only ever going to be taken as a last resort and I am pleased that the situation appears to have improved."
 
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