A world-famous reindeer farm in Staffordshire which attracts visitors from all over the globe every Christmas could be forced to close because of HS2, the owner says.

Angry Stephen Swinnerton says Blithbury Reindeer Lodge would be wrecked by the high speed railway development, which would slice up his land and disrupt the environment for the animals.

He is urging the Prime Minister Theresa May to take action to site the track elsewhere and has written to her and a host of Ministers and MPs, including Philip Hammond, Chris Grayling and Sir Eric Pickles.

Blithbury Reindeer Farm is home to a host of amazing beasts
Blithbury Reindeer Farm is home to a host of amazing beasts

Mr Swinnerton, 66, said: "Following the publication of the working draft Environmental Impact Assessment for Phase 2a, it is clear the proposed route of Phase 2a will cause a large amount of disruption and adversely affect our environment, livestock and business.

"HS2 phase 2a will require sections of our land equating to the loss of five grazing fields. It is also proposed they will re-align the B5014 road outside the farm.

"We are a working reindeer farm, visitor attraction and educational facility. Due to the nature of our reindeer business, harvest time is at Christmas. We have visitors from all over the world. This Christmas we have families coming from the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam.

"The proposed construction works alone would severely affect the business as access to the farm is only possible via the B5014. If the farm is inaccessible or there is traffic management in place due to the proposed scheme, then our business would be extinguished.

The business would be 'extinguished' under government proposals, it has been claimed
The business would be 'extinguished' under government proposals, it has been claimed

"The potential loss of land would also be critical to the future. The livestock use all the paddock land we currently own and the paddocks are grazed in rotation.

"We are unable to consider re-locating as a viable option. This would mean not only re-locating the lodge, but relocating my home, my farm and all the livestock. We’d also would have to re-establish our brand, which many people have worked so hard to create, develop and maintain over the years."

Mr Swinnerton said any closure of the site would leave an ethical dilemma about where to re-home the reindeer.

The reindeer lodge is one of the only farms of its type in the country and has featured in numerous television shows

He said: "We are requesting that the proposed trackway, turning area, pond and habitat creation be located elsewhere to allow the continuation of Blithbury Reindeer Lodge as a working farm and visitor attraction.

"We sincerely hope that we will be able to engage with HS2 and suggest that there is an alternative location available in the area for the purposes required.

"I would like to live the rest of my life in the unique, beautiful, peaceful surroundings I have created, with my partner and my beloved reindeer herd. This is also my home, as well as a business.

"The farm has been left in trust in my will to allow it to continue to educate and entertain people when I am no longer here. I would like to be remembered for a good thing, rather than a bad thing."

An HS2 spokesman said: "HS2 will re-balance the economy by connecting eight out of our ten biggest cities, increase rail capacity on the current system and reduce journey times, while also creating thousands of jobs across the UK.

"We recognise that people will be concerned about the impacts of construction, and we continue to engage with people and businesses to look at the how we minimise impacts as we progress to the next stage of design.

"We have met with representatives from Blithbury Reindeer Lodge to look at the impacts on their business and to discuss the possible solutions."

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