Nuneaton animal rescue founder finally receives award after legal case

Geoff Grewcock, founder of Nuneaton & Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, will receive a Borough Award of Merit after a council nomination was paused while he pursued legal action; he successfully overturned an abatement notice on appeal in 2024.

Geoff Grewcock will be presented with a Borough Award of Merit by the mayor after his nomination was paused while he took legal action against the local council. He founded Nuneaton & Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary in 2001 and has cared for nearly 130,000 animals. In May 2022 the council issued an abatement notice after complaints about smells. Grewcock appealed and won in 2024. Key details: - The council said a public nomination process in 2025 returned additional nominations for Geoff Grewcock and the committee approved the award to be presented in the mayor's parlour. - The abatement notice followed three complaints about odours; neighbours told the court they had not noticed bad odours coming from the rescue. - District Judge David Wain overturned the notice on appeal at Birmingham Magistrates' Court in 2024, and the judge described the council's 2021 investigation as "incomplete" and found no nuisance, as reported. - The sanctuary spent about £30,000 on legal fees and accepted a £19,000 settlement from the council. - Relations between the sanctuary and the council became strained during the legal action, and local supporters campaigned for Grewcock's nomination. Summary: The award restores formal recognition after a nomination was paused during legal proceedings. The council committee approved the Borough Award of Merit and it will be presented at a ceremony in the mayor's parlour. The background includes an overturned abatement notice on appeal and a financial settlement between the sanctuary and the council.