A BIRD sanctuary might have to close in three months because it does not have relevant planning permission.

Officers at Bolton Council have advised Every Feather Bird Rescue in Over Hulton, to stop taking care of injured birds by October 10.

They believe the amount of bird-related activity within the house means that the property would need permission to be a ‘mixed-used’ dwelling rather than just a home.

But they told owners Samantha and Steph Williams that an application to change the use would not be granted, given that the sanctuary is based in a residential area.

Miss Steph Williams said: “The whole situation is making us feel quite unwell and we just think it is unfair.

“They have basically told us that we need to close it completely. They said we could apply for a change of use to make it a mixed-use dwelling but they said it would not be granted.

“We have 50 birds in total and there are people raising about 200 pigeons and they don’t have to apply to be a mixed-use dwelling.I just do not understand.”

A council spokesman said they visited the premises after receiving a complaint.

They said: “We fully understand the sensitivities around this. Due to the number of birds kept at the property and the use of the home as a bird sanctuary, the council concluded that the law requires planning permission to be sought.

 “We have said that the rescue activities can continue for another three months to allow enough time to relocate the existing birds to a more suitable location and no enforcement action will be taken during this time. 

“If planning permission is successfully obtained in the future clearly this activity can continue. We are also happy to continue to talk to the residents to see if a solution can be reached and we will not take any action whilst those discussions are taking place.”