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Donkey sanctuary site likely to become housing

Don Mort
Local Democracy Reporting Service
The Donkey Sanctuary Two donkeys. The donkey on the left has a dark brown coat and is eating grass. The donkey on the right has a light brown coat and is looking at the camera. They both have red collars on and are stood in a field with green grass. Fencing can be seen in the background, as well as groups of trees. The Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary's 23 animals were rehomed after its closure

A former animal sanctuary could be turned into housing after the land was put up for sale.

Twenty-three donkeys had to be rehomed after the closure of the site in Eccup, run by The Donkey Sanctuary charity.

The organisation, which had leased the site from Leeds City Council since 1998, said rising costs were behind the decision last August.

Now the Swan Lane site is to be sold at auction after council bosses decided it was no longer needed.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a council report said the sale would raise cash for the authority, which must make savings of more than £100m this year, and would likely be sold for housing.

"It is assumed that the new owner will develop the property, potentially for residential use," it said.

Google The entrance to the donkey sanctuary site. It shows a single road leading into the distance with grass and trees on either side. There is a closed wooden gate on the road and the fencing to the right has three signs, one labelled 'The Donkey Sanctuary'. There is a barn in the distance on the left. The sky is blue with light clouds. Google
The site is located on Swan Lane, Eccup, near Blackhill Lane and Lineham Farm

The report added an auction sale of the site, near Blackhill Lane and Lineham Farm, would be quicker than inviting buyers on the open market.

It said: "The location of the property and the development potential that the property offers is likely to make it a popular listing.

"The price realised will reflect the financial investment a new owner will have to make in completing a development."

Twelve jobs were lost when the Leeds sanctuary closed, along with sites in Manchester, Birmingham and Ivybridge in Devon.

The charity was founded in Devon in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen to help abused and homeless donkeys.

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