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Fear for allotment homing pigeons | Fear for allotment homing pigeons |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Campaigners trying to save 100-year-old allotments say they fear hundreds of homing pigeons face a bleak future when they are evicted from the site. | Campaigners trying to save 100-year-old allotments say they fear hundreds of homing pigeons face a bleak future when they are evicted from the site. |
Members of the Haigside allotments in Treherbert, Rhondda, were initially told the site would close on Friday. | Members of the Haigside allotments in Treherbert, Rhondda, were initially told the site would close on Friday. |
After a barrage of protests, allotment holders say they have now won a short reprieve on animal welfare grounds. | After a barrage of protests, allotment holders say they have now won a short reprieve on animal welfare grounds. |
However, they fear they will struggle to find homes for up to 600 pigeons and other animals kept on the site. | However, they fear they will struggle to find homes for up to 600 pigeons and other animals kept on the site. |
"It is a massive problem," admitted the treasurer of the Haigside Allotment Society, John Evans. | "It is a massive problem," admitted the treasurer of the Haigside Allotment Society, John Evans. |
"The pigeons here are homing pigeons. If they are moved and then released they'll try to return to their home lofts at the allotments, only there will be no-one there for them. | "The pigeons here are homing pigeons. If they are moved and then released they'll try to return to their home lofts at the allotments, only there will be no-one there for them. |
Riding school | |
Mr Evans said there were also scores of chickens and geese kept on the allotments. | Mr Evans said there were also scores of chickens and geese kept on the allotments. |
"At the moment there is nowhere for the livestock to go," he added. | "At the moment there is nowhere for the livestock to go," he added. |
He said he feared some of the pigeons may have to be destroyed. | He said he feared some of the pigeons may have to be destroyed. |
The society, which includes the holders of allotments and small holdings and the riding school, is opposed to the four-acre (1.6 hectare) site being considered for inclusion in the next local development plan. | The society, which includes the holders of allotments and small holdings and the riding school, is opposed to the four-acre (1.6 hectare) site being considered for inclusion in the next local development plan. |
They have drawn up a petition signed by 3,600 people calling on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to protect the land, at the foot of the Rhigos mountain, for community use. | They have drawn up a petition signed by 3,600 people calling on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to protect the land, at the foot of the Rhigos mountain, for community use. |
The allotments are at the foot of the Rhigos mountain | The allotments are at the foot of the Rhigos mountain |
Rhondda MP, Chris Bryant, has called on the council to declare the land unsuitable for housing and keep it for allotment use. | Rhondda MP, Chris Bryant, has called on the council to declare the land unsuitable for housing and keep it for allotment use. |
Mr Bryant said: "I'm not sure the law will allow a change in use if there's not enough allotment land in the Rhondda." | Mr Bryant said: "I'm not sure the law will allow a change in use if there's not enough allotment land in the Rhondda." |
BBC Wales contacted the office of the solicitor acting for landowner Steven Evans, but the solicitor was not available for comment. | BBC Wales contacted the office of the solicitor acting for landowner Steven Evans, but the solicitor was not available for comment. |
Those renting land at Haigside allotments in Treherbert, Rhondda, include pensioners and a riding school for disabled children. | Those renting land at Haigside allotments in Treherbert, Rhondda, include pensioners and a riding school for disabled children. |
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