£910k plans for GSPCA Wildlife Hospital unveiled

Monday 06 August 2018

Designs and plans for a newly proposed GSPCA Wildlife Hospital have been unveiled, with an early fundraising target being set at £910,000.

DLM Architects and the GSPCA announced the plans, along with the Build Partnership Scheme which will be used to raise money for the project, this afternoon.

The proposed centre will be built on the GSPCA's current site, and replace their existing premises and buildings which it said were "no longer fit for purpose" and have "become unusable with age". It would also allow the charity to work "more efficiently" and cope with the increasing demand it faces in what would be a purpose built space.

Steve Byrne, Manager of the GSPCA, said, along side some money they already have, they would be looking for 350 "exclusive build partners" to sign up for a minimum of £520 a year, for five years, or a total of £2,600 - a total of £910,000 across the five years.

"With 1,500 to 2,000 wild animals and birds through the doors every year we see more wild animals come into our care than domestic species and we have been helping this number of animals for many years and it looks likely to continue and with the buildings we care for the wildlife dating back many decades a new facility fit for purpose and the future is essential and we are appealing for support," he said.

"To help achieve the new Wildlife Hospital we are launching our Exclusive Build Partner scheme for those businesses and individuals looking to support this much needed build."

Mr Byrne added that they were "hugely grateful" to DLM for listening and understanding their requirements for the new facility, and then producing the deisgn: "We believe this much needed purpose-built Wildlife Hospital will enable us to meet the growing demands of wildlife on our island.”

Work on the project, he said, would kick off as soon as they could start raising money, and DLM and the GSPCA are meeting to discuss the proposals with the Planning Department next week.

The GSPCA is holding a large fundraising event this weekend to kickstart the project.

David De La Mare, Director at DLM Architects, said: “The proposed wildlife centre will allow the GSPCA to work more efficiently and cope with the increasing demand on injured wildlife in a purpose built space giving the animal the best chance of recovery and integration back to the wild.  

"The design has evolved primarily from the requirements of the brief, isolating various species within suitable zones and necessary room size in relation to the duration of treatment required.  Consideration has been made to minimise ongoing maintenance costs, centralise storage, administration and cooking facilities, and reduce the trauma of moving the wildlife to and from the relevant zones.  

"The overall form has been developed to respond to the topography and orientation of the site, locating treatment rooms to the outskirts of the footprint where the wildlife will endure less disruption from the central circulation space."

For more information, Mr Byrne invited people to contact him by calling 257261 or to email stevejbyrne@gspca.org.gg.