Ponderosa zoo boss left gutted as arsonists torch Heckmondwike wellness centre facility

Howard Cook, 76, has pioneered health and well-being projects on his Ponderosa site in Heckmondwike.

The Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre started in 1991 as a place for people with learning difficulties to work with animals.

Mr Cook later worked with Kirklees Council and built domes on the site for the Able project, a fish farm scheme to provide training and jobs to under-achieving young people.

But last Wednesday night youths got into the former Spenborough Waste Water Treatment Works site off Smithies Lane, starting a blaze which destroyed the remains of the domes.

Mr Cook, who also has the Ponderosa Zoo, a restaurant and business park on the sprawling 85-acre site, said: “Everything I have done has been for young people, and for kids to come in and start a fire... I’m just gutted.”

The Able project collapsed several years ago and the domes were empty and secure.

Three fire crews from Dewsbury and Cleckheaton attended at 5.30pm on Thursday. Smoke could be seen for miles around.

Mr Cook has submitted plans for the wellness and therapeutic centre to Kirklees Council.

The aim is to create a place for the whole community to promote “wellness, mental health and conservation.”

There would be a rare breeds farm, a nature park, education centre, allotments and a lake.

The wellness project would include support sessions for people with mental health problems.

There would even be alpaca wellness walks where visitors could walk alpacas around the site and then enjoy afternoon tea.

The project was born out of Mr Cook’s own treatment for prostate cancer when he realised how men struggled to talk about their feelings.

He chatted to other patients and helped them open up on their mental health.

Mr Cook said the fire had “made me question myself” and added: “I am disappointed but I won’t give up.

“I am not making any money out of this, in fact it is costing me all the time, but facilities like this are so important. We carry on.”

Police confirmed they were investigating an arson attack after a fire which was started around 5.15pm on Wednesday.

Enquiries are ongoing and officers appealed for anyone with information to contact Kirklees Police via 101 quoting crime number 13200528227.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.