Lavenham Falconry bird-of-prey centre seeks funding support for relocation to help secure long-term future

A popular bird-of-prey centre is in a race against time to secure its long-term future, as it begins fund-raising for its relocation, to meet incoming government legislation.

Lavenham Falconry launched an appeal to raise at least £5,000, while its search continues for a new home, which it needs to build and move into within the next two years.

If it is not able to secure new premises by then, the business will have no choice but to close, as the current site cannot meet new legislation taking effect in 2027.

Announced by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2022, the regulations for bird-of-prey centres will be streamlined to bring them more in line with zoos.

This will include a ban on tethering the birds, including for displays, meaning that Lavenham Falconry now requires larger aviaries to accommodate its birds.

As a consequence, its base at Bridge Farm Barns in Monks Eleigh is no longer fit for purpose.

Jo Crouch, of Lavenham Falconry, told the Suffolk Free Press: “Unfortunately, we have outgrown our current facilities, which is why we’re looking for a new one.

“Falconry has always had specific birds tethered – the argument is that it’s the safest way to house the birds.

“What Defra is doing is trying to streamline the requirements to bring centres up to zoo standards. We’ve got to build 24 new aviaries to accommodate this.”

At present, Lavenham Falconry houses 53 birds of prey, as well as a reptile house containing around 50 different lizards, snakes and tortoises – many of which have been rescued.

The business is, therefore, seeking approximately three acres of land for its new home, ideally in a location away from built-up residential areas.

Jo said the centre’s team has been searching for the ideal site for the last three years, since the legislation was announced.

However, they have encountered various setbacks. In some instances, land was identified, only to be sold to another buyer, while in others, they were unable to obtain the necessary planning permissions.

As Lavenham Falconry is not a charity, Jo explained that it is having to fund the land acquisition and planning costs entirely through income generated by its various experience days and displays.

To contribute towards the fundraising target, go online to www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-lavenham-falconry.

“We’re looking at £20,000 just for the surveys to be done, and then add on however much it will cost to buy the land and put in the planning application,” she said. “So, it will be at least £200,000 before we start building.

“There’s a potential site near Bury St Edmunds, which we may look into, but we need the funds to get there. We’ve started fund-raising on Go Fund Me, and every little helps.

“We aren’t being kicked out of here, but we’ve got to be realistic that pre-planning and everything else can take months. We want to be out sooner rather than later.”