Guiseley peacocks are set for santuary (From Wharfedale Observer)

Guiseley peacocks are set for santuary

11:29am Sunday 30th September 2007 in Local news By Annette McIntyre

A row about peacocks which has set feathers flying in a Guiseley community is on the verge of being resolved with a compromise solution.

The family of birds has provoked strong opinions in the Hawkstone area with some neighbours wanting them moved on while others insist they should stay.

A postal bird ballot' was sent to all households in the area after a public meeting failed to decide their fate.

And now it has been decided that two of the birds should be allowed to stay while six are moved to a sanctuary.

Coun Graham Latty made en-quiries to find a suitable alternative home for the peacocks after he became involved in the issue when residents urged him to do something about the noise and mess the birds were making.

But a row erupted when other residents insisted they were a much loved part of the community.

Now Coun Latty has sent out a letter detailing the outcome of the vote and explaining why the compromise solution was felt to be the best.

He says the collection and counting was done by an officer at the Civic Hall in Leeds and was checked by another.

Of those voting, 52 wanted the peacocks to go to a sanctuary, 24 wanted two peacocks to be kept, and 40 wanted all the peacocks to be kept.

In his letter Coun Latty says: "Whilst the total votes for keeping some Peacocks exceeds those wanting them to go, those wanting two to stay plus those wanting no birds - therefore presumably happier with two rather that eight birds - add up to a higher number .

"Therefore six of the birds should be moved to a sanctuary. I have discussed this method of arriving at a result with the Council's Chief Legal Officer who finds it to be the most reasonable interpretation of the votes.

"I will now take advice on how the ones to stay/go should be selected and then make arrangements for the selected birds to be humanely taken to either the sanctuary near South Milford or the Hawksworth Caravan Park, or two to each if it will not cause any problems for the birds.

"As I say I will at every stage take expert advice on how to proceed. I am sure this will not be everyone's ideal solution but I long ago realised that in this case there is no easy answer."

Coun Latty said the details of the result had been sent out to something like 130 households, and he had only had three e-mails not agreeing with the result.

He said: "I am now going to take advice from bird experts on the best way to move them, and to get someone to move them who knows what they are doing so that the birds don't suffer in any way."

He is also seeking expert advice to see which birds should go and which should stay. And he said they would go to a good home. I have found a sanctuary near South Milford which is an absolutely superb place."