Opposition to plan for alpaca birthing centre at Thelwall

PLANS for a temporary home for an agricultural worker at Woodlands Alpaca Farm, Thelwall are being opposed by parish councillors and a local resident.

The “very special circumstances” put forward to justify the development on Green Belt land include one that an on-site worker would be required to care for an alpaca birthing and breeding centre.
A report to Warrington’s development management committee also stresses that the property would be a mobile home rather than a permanent building.
An earlier application for a permanent property was refused by local planners and also refused on appeal in 2018.
The farm currently has permission for facilities to house 16 alpacas. But the owners, the Egerton Trust, wishes to use it as a dedicated birthing centre for up to 12 alpacas and their young.
Woodlands Alpaca Farm has been operating for seven years and is a small but viable business. There is a demand for specialist birthing facilities in the North West. Alpacas are hardy and for the most part can be left without permanent supervision. But birthing mothers and their young require particular car and attention.
Objectors fear highway safety problems due to vehicles visiting the site and say the development is inappropriate in the Green Belt as it has reached its capacity for alpaca management.