City council chiefs say plans to fine visitors who get too close to deer at Wollaton Park have been deemed 'not feasible or practical to implement'. Nottingham City Council said it had explored the idea of issuing fixed penalty notices (FPN) to visitors who encroached on the animals and will continue to work with local councillors to raise awareness of the issue.
It comes after Councillor Zafran Khan, who represents Wollaton West for Labour on the authority, said the fines could be introduced as early as next summer under a plan in the wake of individuals ignoring current guidance. But the city council subsequently clarified the fines had been ruled unfeasible. And Councillor Khan said he and his fellow ward councillors were still actively pursuing the plans despite the city council's decision.
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “Most people who visit Wollaton Hall and Park sensibly enjoy our beautiful deer from a distance, observing the many prominent and substantial signs around the site advising of the risks to themselves and the animals in getting too close.
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“There are instances every year unfortunately where a small number of visitors try to approach – this can be incredibly dangerous as deer are wild animals whose behaviour cannot be predicted. They should be left in peace to roam and observed from a distance.
“To try to prevent this from happening, local councillors brought forward a suggestion of issuing fines to anyone who deliberately got too close to the deer. This was explored by council officers but is ultimately not feasible or practical to implement. We will continue to work with councillors to raise awareness of this issue.”
In a joint statement, the three Labour councillors for Wollaton West, Mr Khan, Steve Battlemuch and Cate Woodward, said: "Wollaton West councillors are actively pursuing the introduction of fines as a last resort to deter visitors from getting close up to the deer at Wollaton Park. Public safety is our fundamental objective. Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming support, we have received on addressing this dangerous issue."
The park was briefly closed last October after a man was injured by a stag near the golf course in Lime Tree Avenue. A male red stag, protective of his does, was said to have approached and injured the member of the public.
The walker, who had been a safe distance away and done nothing wrong, was taken to hospital as a precaution. The deer was put down by a vet. Calls were also made for a security review after the incident.
Deer have been known to attack people when they feel threatened, especially when they are rearing new-borns in the spring, or during the autumn rutting season.
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