Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary’s joy over council’s legal battle won

Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary is celebrating a huge victory after winning its court battle with Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. Last year the borough council issued an abatement notice to the Oaston Road animal shelter following a complaint about animal odour.

But Geoff Grewcock, who runs the sanctuary, launched a legal battle against the City Hall and earlier (May 21) a judge at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court dismissed the council’s notice. A jubilant Geoff told Coventry Live: “We can’t believe it, we’re so relieved.

“It was three years of hell, I got sick. The council treated us like criminals, like something to step on. But we won.”

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He said they would not have been able to launch the legal action, which cost £30,000, without the support of local people. “We couldn’t have done it without them, all the people in Nuneaton and the area who have supported us, we can’t thank them enough,” he said.

But Mr Grewcock, who has run the sanctuary for decades, said they would look to work with the council in the future.

CoventryLive has contacted the council about the court’s decision. At the time of publication, City Hall said it was unavailable for comment.

In June 2022, it said it acted on a complaint made about the sanctuary. Councilor Julian Gutteridge, cabinet for health and environment, said in a statement at the time: “The district council has a duty to assess and identify statutory nuisances within the borough and take appropriate action in accordance with relevant legislation.

“In this case the officers felt that a legal nuisance was occurring and were obliged to serve the reduction notice. Legal action like this is always a last resort, but we are always ready to work with the parties involved to find the best possible outcome for local residents.”

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