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Plea to save Swansea tropical hothouse from closure

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling on the council to drop its plan to close a popular tropical hothouse in Swansea.

Plantasia was opened in 1990 Credit: Vanessa Harvey

Plantasia, in Parc Tawe, could be shut after Swansea Council announced plans to make savings by slashing £81 million from its budget.

The council has put forward a second option which could see the facility handed over to another organisation.

The proposals have sparked outrage among Plantasia fans who have started a petition to save the hothouse from its demise.

The tropical hothouse plays host to 45 different species of animals Credit: Vanessa Harvey

The attraction is Wales' only indoor living rainforest and has seen over two million people through its doors since its opening in 1990.

The hothouse is also used for educational trips with 10,000 school children visiting every year.

Plantasia plays host to a variety of animals including species of Cotton Top Tamarin monkeys and Egyptian tortoises.

We have to find £81 million of savings over the next three years. This means difficult decisions have to be made to protect as many services as possible for residents across Swansea. The proposal currently out for consultation is to offer an appropriate group the chance to run Plantasia at no cost to the council or, if one can’t be found, to stop providing the service. No decisions have yet been made and all feedback forming part of the consultation process that runs until January 21 will be considered.

– Swansea Council spokesperson