DOZENS of animals have been saved after they were forced to move away from their temporary home in a pub car park.

Last year Adam Smith’s animal sanctuary on the Isles of Scilly was forced to close, so when the 45-year-old took over the Old Chestnut Tree pub in Lower Moor, Pershore, he moved the animals to the pub’s car park on a short term basis.

But Wychavon District Council planners rejected a change of use application to convert the car park into a permanent animal sanctuary late last year.

Mr Smith was given just six months to rehome the animals, which included meerkats and raccoons, and he feared that some may be put down if he could not find new accommodation.

At the time, Mr Smith said the 40 animals had been well kept in timber enclosures on the site since September 2016, and inspectors had been out to view the premises.

Previously, David Hammond, planning and housing services manager at Wychavon, said the application was refused as a reduction in the amount of parking was considered a “highway safety risk”.

The decision was supported by Worcestershire County Council in their role as highways authority.

Mr Smith said: “I suppose it is good for the people living there (in Pershore) too, because they didn’t really want us there.

“It is a shame we were not able to build the sanctuary there. It was a struggling pub but they didn’t want it to change.”

Following this, Mr Smith was forced to sell the pub and approached owners of the Farm Shop and restaurant in Holt Fleet Road, Ombersley, Alan and Brett Wilkinson, for help.

The Holt Fleet site already had a licence to have an animal sanctuary after previous plans for one had fallen though.

Both Mr Smith and his partner Gareth Davies, who have experience running a culinary business, are now helping out at the on-site restaurant while the animals live on site in the new sanctuary.

Mr Wilkinson said: “It was an all-round win-win situation. Adam turned up in our hour of need also – the restaurant was in need of a pick me up. It is a good match for everyone.”

Ombersley Animal Sanctuary, which now consists of more than 70 animals, including meerkats, monkeys, raccoons, squirrels and exotic birds, will open its doors at the Farm Shop and restaurant in Holt Fleet Road, near Worcester, tomorrow (Saturday) at 9am.

Speaking on the opening, Mr Smith added: “I am really looking forward to the opening. We are hoping to get a big crowd.”

Entry is £2.50 and includes a guided tour. The restaurant will be serving food and Cornish ice cream.

For more information go to Ombersley Animal Sanctuary on Facebook.