Horses that have become “part and parcel” of a riverside park are set to be evicted because the council believes they are harming biodiversity. 

Sally Button, who represents Bowthorpe on Norwich City Council, said the authority had acted because there were “far too many” horses on the land, and ate so much that little vegetation could grow.

Residents living near Bowthorpe Southern Park said the animals have grazed on the site for more than a decade, but notices from a bailiff appeared over the bank holiday weekend, warning the horses would be “detained” if their owner did not remove them by 9am next Monday, June 6.

The land is owned and lawfully occupied by Norwich City Council. As the nearby Horse Sanctuary is unable to take in the horses, the bailiffs will be taking them to the slaughter.

(Information credit Martin George)