Pigeon stud moves over cat fears

 

Mary Bartlett said she would lose her livelihood if consent was denied

One of the country's top pigeon studs has been granted planning permission to move premises because too many cats are disturbing the birds.
The owners of the Ponderosa UK Stud in Chickerell, near Weymouth, Dorset, want to move their 2,000 prized birds to an open space 100m down the road.
They claim a nearby housing development has led to an increase in the number of cats stalking and harassing the birds.
On Thursday West Dorset Council voted to accept the application.
The council granted the stud outline planning permission. Mary Bartlett, who started the business which has bred birds for the Saudi royal family, said: "It's been our life, it's been our livelihood."