Phoenix Hedgehog Rescue has been given planning permission to site a portable building on land it has been offered at a property at Walpole St Andrew, near King's Lynn.

A planning statement said: "Due to circumstances beyond the charity’s control, relocation from its previous premises became necessary.

Emma Pickering, who resigned from Emma's Hedgehog Hospital before it was renamed (Image: Chris Bishop)

"The proposed development represents a modest, sensitively sited and environmentally responsible scheme that enables a valued local wildlife charity to continue its essential work."

Phoenix was formerly Emma’s Hedgehog Hospital, which was set up in 2020 and based at Terrington St Clement.

Its work was paused last summer after founder Emma Pickering stood down, with anyone finding a poorly hedgehog advised to take it to the RSPCA at East Winch.

Emma Pickering founded Emma's Hedgehog Hospital in 2020 (Image: Chris Bishop)

Mrs Pickering declined to say why she resigned, but added: "I wish Phoenix Hedgehog Rescue all the best.

"I'm very grateful they have picked up the reins, there needs to be more support for our prickly friends."

A steering group was set up to rebuild the hospital on a new site and pledged it would reopen this spring.

Emma Pickering founded Emma's Hedgehog Hospital in 2020 (Image: Google)

Jody Taylor, the chair of the charity, said Mrs Pickering had chosen "a different path in life" which did not include hedgehogs, but declined to elaborate further.

She added a new portable building will now be sited behind the house on Market Lane, where operations will resume shortly.

A planning statement said it will initially accommodate up to 25 hedgehogs, which it describes as "a reduction from previous operational capacity".

Hedgehogs being cared for at the previous hospital (Image: Chris Bishop)

It adds the animals will be looked after by volunteers and the site will not be open to the public.

Planning papers said the new centre would be funded by "a generous bequest in 2025".

One supporter posted on the council's planning portal: "I wholeheartedly support this application so the excellent work the volunteers do can continue."

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