This wonderful reindeer farm faces closure and destruction as a result of plans for the new HS2 (High Speed Rail network), and the reindeer face being put down as they have nowhere else to live! Please sign this petition to put a stop to this!
Blithbury Reindeer Lodge owner says
on his website,
"The working draft Environmental Impact Assessment for [HS2] Phase 2a, [makes] clear that the proposed route will cause a large amount disruption and adversely affect our environment, livestock and business. We are a working reindeer farm, visitor attraction and educational facility. The proposed works will take much needed land from Blithbury Reindeer Lodge.
We are unable to consider re-locating Blithbury Reindeer Lodge... Closure would be the only option, but [would] leave us with an ethical dilemma, [as] it would simply not be possible to re-home over 200 reindeer... The Government, its representatives, the Select Committee, the Minister for Transport and HS2 would ultimately therefore be responsible for the fate of over 200 healthy reindeer.
We sincerely hope that we will be able to engage with HS2 and suggest that there is an alternative location available [for HS2] in the area for the purposes required, which would have no direct impact on our animals or Blithbury Reindeer Lodge as a popular visitor attraction.
On a personal note, I am 66 years old and would like to live the rest of my life in the unique, beautiful, peaceful surroundings I have created, with my partner and my beloved reindeer herd..."
Please sign this petition to tell the government to change their HS2 plans, and save the 200 reindeer of Blithbury Reindeer Lodge! 