Planning approval secures wolf conservation centre’s future

A wolf conservation centre’s future in Shropshire has been secured after £200,000 plans were approved to create a holiday lodge and educational facility.

Wolf Watch UK was established in 1993 by Tony Haighway as a private membership wolf conservation group to rescue and care for displaced wolves from zoos in the UK along with his partner, Eva Dutton, and their team of dedicated volunteers.

Shropshire Council’s planning department has approved plans designed by the Roger Coy Partnership to build a short-stay holiday lodge and educational facility within the near 100-acre site.

The development will replace an existing barn that maybe re-located to the edge of a small lake as an observation place.

Work will start towards the end of this year by Severn Oak Timber Frames in Lightmoor, Telford, who will manufacture and build the lodge.

“It is two years since we hatched the idea to make Wolf Watch UK more sustainable without being too commercial because it is a difficult balancing act,” Haighway said. “We are open to members but if you have too many feet through the door, you spoil that which you are trying to preserve.

“It is a marvellous achievement to have had our plans passed by Shropshire Council.

“We’re a tiny organisation and this decision means we can be sustainable in the future. We will rent out Kgosi Lodge to members for short stay holidays and also use the building as an educational facility that will enable us to generate funds and employ a manager.

“All this means we will be able to continue our work to provide for the welfare of the current and future wolves in our care.”