The Botanic Gardens aviary in Southport, home to 170 birds and small animals, faces closure after Sefton Council pulled its approximately £60,000 annual running subsidy, according to official council disclosures. Council leader Marion Atkinson told a meeting that maintaining the facility is no longer in the best interests of the animals, a position backed by animal welfare experts.
Parliamentary Pushback and Public Opposition
Closing the community fixture could create unforeseen public expenditure challenges, according to Southport MP Patrick Hurley. Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside following a public meeting attended by roughly 200 residents, Hurley argued that shuttering the facility represents a false economy.
“So many people have said the aviary has really helped them with their mental health,” Hurley said during the broadcast. He warned that removing local wellbeing assets often forces costs to materialize elsewhere in the public sector, comparing the situation to squeezing a balloon where air simply shifts to another area.
Welfare Concerns Versus Community Value
The municipal decision hinges primarily on animal welfare standards and budget constraints. Sefton Council determined that absorbing the £60,000 annual maintenance cost is no longer viable, leading to the planned March 2027 closure date. Animal welfare specialists have supported the local authority’s assessment that the current setup is inhumane.
Conversely, community advocates and local representatives emphasize the intangible therapeutic value the gardens provide. Proponents stress that the aviary serves as a vital green space anchor for residents managing stress and isolation, creating a policy tension between municipal animal welfare mandates and preventative adult social care budgets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Southport Botanic Gardens aviary scheduled to close?
The aviary is scheduled to shut down in March 2027, according to Sefton Council timelines.
Why is Sefton Council cutting funding?
The council decided to withdraw its roughly £60,000 annual running cost contribution after officials and animal welfare experts concluded the facility was no longer in the best interests of the animals.
How many animals are housed at the aviary?
The facility currently houses 170 birds and small animals, according to local reports.
What are the main arguments against the closure?
Local MP Patrick Hurley and community members argue that the aviary provides essential mental health support, warning that closing it could create downstream burdens for adult social care and mental health provisions.
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