August 22, 2019 3.29 pm This story is over 64 months old

Wolds Wildlife Park unable to open any time soon

They need a new licence

Wolds Wildlife Park in Horncastle will not open over Bank Holiday weekend or again in the near future as it can only open to the public for six days a year or it risks breaching its licence.

The private collection of wild animals operates under a Dangerous Wild Animals Licence, so they are unable to open for any more days without being in breach of the licence.

The park, which will now apply for a zoo licence, recently saw its big expansion plans approved by East Lindsey District Council.

An indicative visual of the entrance to the planned Wildlife Park.

The park is owned by Andrew Riddel and his partner Tracy Walters. On the park’s Facebook page Tracy said: “It is with regret that I have to inform you all that we will not be opening this Bank Holiday weekend or again in the near future.

“The reason for this is we are still a private collection of wild animals that operates under a Dangerous Wild Animals licence, this enables us to open to the public for 6 days in any 12 month period. If we opened for any more days we would be in breach of our licence.

“With all your support we have managed to get full planning permission for our park which is amazing thank you.

“We are now applying for our zoo licence which will enable us to open fully to the public and to schools, we have a lot of hoops to jump through all being well this should take a couple of months.

“We are working closely with the council who have been very supportive towards helping our local community to bring Horncastle back on the map.

An indicative visual of the education centre.

Designs for a new home for more than 200 animals saw a big expansion to the original plans.

Andrew and Tracy originally applied only for retrospective planning approval for enclosures they had built to house their collection at the Wolds Wildlife Park off Louth Road.

However, following advice, they withdrew these plans and instead outlined a three-year vision for two plots of land either side of Hemingby Lane.

It will feature a series of 20 enclosures and shelters along with an education centre and a reception building housing a gift shop and cafe.