A MULTI-MILLION pound national wildlife rescue centre earmarked for the Wee County moved a step closer last week when councillors approved the £500,000 sale of a proposed site for the complex.

As reported in the Wee County News last week, the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) sees the old Devon Equestrian centre near Fishcross as a potential site for the state-of-the-art facility.

Clacks councillors unanimously  recommended the sale of the land, along with the adjoining Beam Engine House, to the charity at last week’s full council meeting.   

The Wee County News understands the council has been in negotiations with the charity for some time, and the Devon Equestrian centre site –   vacant since the eviction of controversial former tenant Ros Davison earlier this year – was the preferred of two  locations  looked at in Clackmannanshire.

The £3.5million wildlife rescue centre, which would include an animal hospital, sea pool, aviaries and educational opportunities, has still to gain planning permission, but should that be obtained it could become the SSPCA’s “flagship” facility. The rescue centre would bring 12 full-time jobs with the potential for full-time educational posts as well.

While there is widespread support for the project, a potential stumbling block had been the future of the Clackmannan-shire Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), which relies on the Devon Equestrian Centre’s  indoor arena to carry out therapy sessions – a concern raised by Cllr Eddie Carrick at Thursday’s meeting.

However,  the SSPCA has not asked for exclusive use of the site, and the council hope it may be possible for the RDA to continue using the facilities in some capacity.

Portfolio Holder for Sustainability Councillor Eddie Carrick said: “We anticipate working together with the Riding for the Disabled Association to find them suitable accommodation, so they can continue their excellent work in Clackmannanshire.

“This is exactly the type of development we want to attract to Clackmannanshire. As well as jobs and investment, the wildlife centre will bring visitors and educational opportunities. I’m pleased that the Council has acted decisively to secure the centre for
Clackmannanshire, bringing the area a new, green business that will benefit Scotland’s wildlife and the community.”

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn added: “The society is delighted that Clackmannanshire Council have approved the sale of land at Fishcross for our proposed new National Wildlife Rescue Centre.

“We very much look forward to working with the council in achieving the required planning permissions and to creating a new flagship project for helping Scottish Wildlife” 

	03-01-2010 23:53
	I used to help Ros Davison when she ran the Devon Equestrian Centre and the loss of such a facility will be a loss to the horse riding community and myself in particular.

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	13-01-2010 12:56
	Sounds like a great idea to me, especially if it can incorporate the riding for the disabled facility.    Wildlife needs all the help it can get.

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	20-01-2010 14:08
	ros davison done absolutely nothing for devon equestrian i am a local horse rider and while ros had the centre all she done was neglected her horses and got into debt she didnt have a clue what she was doing at all !!

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	27-01-2010 11:39
	oooh    handbags \"OOT\"    if she wasnt good to her animals then that isnt good at all, poor gigi`s

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