House plans forcing horse rescue centre out of home

Buy photos » Raynor Walker with Dinky the Shetland pony who is owned by the Bank Of Cyprus and supporters from the area. Picture by Jon Mullis 11.013.031.brom.jm1

RESCUE horses in Wythall face an uncertain future after their owner was served notice to make way for a new housing development.

Raynor Walker, owner of Barnt Green Horse and Animal Rescue, has more than 30 animals and was originally told she had just four weeks to find a new home for them. That deadline has now been extended to June 1 to allow her more time to find new land.

It comes after a decision was made by Bromsgrove District Council to allow outline planning permission for 178 homes on the Bleak House Farm site.

More than 60 residents attended the meeting where the decision was made but seven councillors still voted in favour of the proposals, with only two voting against.

Ms Walker told the Standard she had been warned she may have to move from the site but had not been given an indication of the time span.

“I received the letter out of the blue and was absolutely gobsmacked. We have taken as much fencing down as we can and are ready to move somewhere else if a miracle happens and we can find somewhere,” she said.

“At the moment I am chasing my own tail and trying to get every little bit of information I can get. I am just hoping there might be someone out there that might have something we can move on to.”

She added she needed at least 40 acres of land, with stables or buildings which could be converted.

No one from landowners Gallagher Estates was available to comment.

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