North East charity reveals plans for ‘life-changing’ wildlife hospital to help rescuers' tireless efforts

Sunderland City Council’s planning department has received an application from animal rescue charity Pawz for Thought for part of its existing base at Ferryboat Lane in the North Hylton area, near The Shipwrights pub.

The plans are proposing the erection of a new “wild animal veterinary referral centre” for the treatment of animals rescued by the charity, along with associated parking, to “complement” the well-established rescue centre.

A design and access statement submitted to council officials outlines proposals for a two-storey building on the footprint of existing structures, including a former stable and polytunnel, which sit behind a wall running adjacent to Ferryboat Lane.

The supporting document notes the proposed wildlife hospital’s ground floor would include office space, an isolation room and wash and changing rooms, along with a utility space and bin store.

The proposed first floor, which also includes a balcony space, would house “two treatment rooms along with an observation room, recovery and hygiene room.”

The design and access statement, submitted to the council on behalf of the charity, notes the “shape and design of the building allows for a mezzanine level to be created over the two treatment rooms at first floor”, which would “add additional space for surgical equipment storage and offers a viewing platform for the observation of procedures for training purposes”.

It adds that the building would have a “curving natural form, that sits well within the natural landscape setting” and that the ground floor would be “very much concealed behind the existing boundary wall to Ferryboat Lane”.

Design principles behind the wild animal treatment centre include large glazed areas to “promote the use of natural light, minimising the use of artificial light [and] providing a calming environment for the wildlife”.

The charity also stressed that “subdued lighting only will be utilised in the evenings and design measures have been put in place to prevent any light spill from the interior”.

Due to Pawz for Thought’s “strong sustainability ethos”, the new building would also include “grey water recycling, solar panels and green roof elements” and materials would be “carefully considered for their carbon value and sourced locally wherever possible”.

The design and access statement adds: “Pedestrian access to the building will be from within the Pawz for Thought site [and] vehicles can access the courtyard through the existing gated entrance off Ferryboat Lane.

“This proposed building wont be open to the public so wont generate any additional highway traffic [and] this facility will likely reduce journeys to and from the rescue centre as treatment would take place on site rather than needing to take animals elsewhere for treatment.”

A separate planning statement also submitted to council officials notes Pawz for Thought was established more than 20 years ago and provides animal rescue and rehabilitation services throughout the North East.

Its charitable mission is to “act for the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of animals in need of care and attention and in particular to provide facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals”, planning documents state, and it was noted that the charity also “provides services to the RSPCA, emergency services and members of the public”.

The planning statement noted that the proposed application site for the new wildlife hospital is “part of the well-established wildlife rescue centre” and that at present, “any animals brought to the rescue centre which require veterinary treatment are generally taken off-site to local practices”.

It was noted that the animal charity having an on-site treatment centre would “significantly reduce vehicle movements in terms of sustainability and reduce trauma for animals undergoing treatment, thereby improving their welfare and outcomes”.

Those behind the scheme also said the new centre, if approved, would “improve the quality of the local environment without compromising other uses in the neighbourhood”, as well as operating “without causing harm to the landscape, protected species or other species using the wildlife corridor”.

It was argued that the provision of a wild animal veterinary referral centre would have “substantial benefits which amount to very special circumstances” under planning policy to allow development in the Green Belt, including the facility serving the whole of the North East of England.

Applicants said that the “lack of specialist facilities [in the region] places a significant strain on local wildlife rescue centres, veterinary practices and transport resources” and that a new North East treatment centre would “bring definitive diagnosis and treatment in the animal’s best interest”.

This includes the centre being “equipped with specialist diagnostic and surgical tools used by appropriately trained professionals”, along with its location close to the A19 which is “highly accessible across the region, enabling wildlife to receive emergency treatment” and “reducing the need for long distance transport out of the region”.

The planning statement added the referral centre would be a “hub of excellence for wildlife veterinary medicine” providing partnerships with several veterinary universities to “give students vital experience”, as well as “working with local veterinary practices to share experience and training opportunities.”

A ruling on the planning application is expected following a council consultation exercise and a decision is expected later this year.

Bosses at Pawz for Thought have said the wild animal veterinary referral centre would be “life-changing for the animals we care for”.

A statement from the charity said: “As a rescue, we see first-hand the heartbreak of wildlife suffering because there is nowhere locally with the specialist facilities they need.

“Too often animals face long, stressful journeys or limited treatment options that can affect their chances of survival.

“A dedicated wildlife hospital in the North East would be life-changing for the animals we care for and for the rescuers working tirelessly to give them a second chance.”

For more information on the planning application, or to track its progress, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search reference: 26/00204/FUL

For more information about Pawz for Thought visit its website at pawzforthought.org.