Durham County Council scraps cockerel ban at allotments

Cabinet members agreed on Wednesday, September 16, to restore the council’s previous policy, allowing cockerels on some sites with permission.

The decision comes six months after the council removed an exemption allowing show cockerels on allotments.

The ban sparked opposition from allotment holders across the county, including 14-year-old Bishop Auckland resident Tom Barker Amos, who launched a petition urging the authority to rethink the restrictions.

Tom said keeping poultry had helped his mental health and that his pet cockerel Brian was an important part of his life.

Tom Amos, 41, and his son Tom Barker Amos, 14, urged the council to reconsider the cockerel ban. (Image: Supplied)

Council officers told the cabinet the issue had remained "contentious" since the original decision in March.

The report said feedback raised concerns about animal welfare, birds being rehomed, traditional allotment practices and the fairness and complexity of enforcing a blanket ban.

Councillors were told the authority had "listened to the feedback" and would restore its previous policy, while council leader Andrew Husband called the move "a great example of people power and Reform listening to residents and doing what we were elected to do."

Cabinet member for communities and resilience Cllr Dawn Bellingham said the debate was about "finding an appropriate balance".

She said: "Some tenants feel that keeping a cockerel is an important tradition and part of their allotment experience.

Others have expressed concerns about nuisance, fairness and how allotment space is used.

"All perspectives have been reflected within the report presented today."

Cllr Bellingham said the council also wanted consistent allotment management across County Durham, with sites focused on cultivation for tenants and people on waiting lists.

She said cockerel keepers would still have to meet Animal and Plant Health Agency registration rules and national biosecurity measures.

The council will focus on advice and engagement before taking formal enforcement action, the cabinet member said.

Cllr Howard Brown, who seconded the recommendations, called it a "challenging" and sometimes "rather noisy" debate.

Praising the proposal, he said: "It does not simply crow in favour of one side or the other, nor does it duck the difficult issue."

Under the revised policy, a proven statutory nuisance caused by a cockerel could still override permission and lead to a ban at the affected allotment site.