Council faces legal challenge over aviary closure

A council is facing a legal challenge to plans to close an aviary that has been open for nearly 90 years.

Sefton Council has said it wants to close the attraction in Southport's Botanic Gardens because of animal welfare concerns and the costs of running it.

But the authority has met with opposition to the closure, and the Save our Aviary and Botanic Gardens community association has now confirmed it has "reluctantly" made the decision to take legal action.

Council leader Marion Atkinson confirmed to BBC Radio Merseyside that a legal challenge had been lodged, but declined to comment on it further.

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

The council made the decision to close it as part of it's budget setting process in February, but later said the decision was mainly due to concerns about animal welfare.

It has said the aviary "can no longer meet the physical, behavioural and psychological needs" of the animals contained in it.

A campaign to save the aviary was launched in the summer.

The Save our Aviary and Botanic Gardens campaign group said "taking legal action was not a step we wanted to take, but we have been left with no option."

The group said it "remained committed to finding a resolution" and would not comment further.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.