New flamingo and meerkat buildings to be built at Hopwood Hall College

There are more than 30 flamingos living at the college in Middleton

A new flamingo shelter, meerkat building and cattery will all be built as part of an agricultural expansion at Hopwood Hall College.

The college's Middleton campus, which sits in the shadow of the Grade II listed Hopwood Hall Chapel, is well regarded for its animal handling courses – and these latest plans seek to boost their curriculum. Alongside the animal specific buildings, proposals also include a polytunnel, four field shelters as well as extensions to the existing classroom buildings.

In order to make room for the new facilities, the alpaca shelter, meerkat shelter and a changing block will need to be demolished.

The Middleton campus, based on Rochdale Road, is one of two campuses that offer animal care courses, with the other located in Smallbridge. Middleton focuses on delivery of animal nursing and animal care technical programmes for smaller creatures whereas Smallbridge focuses on more agricultural animals with essential practical sessions for students from entry level to Higher Education.

They are prepared for working in the animal industry areas such as zookeeping, pet care services, animal welfare organisations, veterinary practice and wildlife and conservation. Students also benefit from commercial experience in the college’s day boarding kennel which is operated in term time only and cattery which is operated for the Blue Cross animal rescue and rehoming organisation.

A spokesperson for Hopwood Hall College said: “The college’s animal management provision continues to attract more and more learners from across Greater Manchester and we have plans in place to grow this provision still further with courses up to and including degree level.

“In many instances, students progress to study a higher education qualification at our University Centre. In addition, our Animal Academy – a summer holiday programme where we welcome 13-16-year-olds with a passion for working animals to campus – continues to be extremely popular.

“These plans will ensure that we’re able to continue to offer the highest quality education where people of all ages can gain the skills that will allow them to seize a wide range of careers in the animal care industry.”

The college has successfully secured £1m of Department of Education funding to allow the college to make these improvements to these buildings. Improving the classrooms, IT facilities and the dog grooming in line with essential course requirements. 

A condition of the funding is for the project to be complete at the start of the course in September 2024, according to planning papers. Rochdale Council’s planning team has now given the green light for the plans.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter