After East Cambridgeshire twice rejected Sue Stubley’s £2m wildlife hospital plan, the Planning Inspectorate appointed a planner to consider it. Stubley, her team, councillors, the inspector and members of the public are due to meet on 20 October.
The proposed Long Acre Wildlife Hospital would occupy 27 acres at Kirtling, near Newmarket, and serve vulnerable animals across Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Norfolk. Stubley founded the Suffolk Hedgehog Hospital at her home in Ousden 18 years ago; it cares for as many as 1,000 hedgehogs a year. Rising demand and a lack of space prompted the plan.
Council planners recommended refusal over traffic concerns linked to rural development. They said there was insufficient justification and feared significant harm to the area's character and appearance, as well as noise and disturbance for nearby residents. Stubley said she thought her chances on appeal were slim, but welcomed a meeting where participants could ask questions rather than be limited to five-minute answers.
