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Eligibility
Criteria |
At least two months before making an application for a licence
to operate a zoo in the Mid Suffolk District Council area, the
applicant must give notice in writing (including by electronic
means) to the Council of their intention to make the application.
The notice must identify:
- the zoo's location
- the types of animals and approximate
number of each group kept for exhibition on the premises and the
arrangements for their accommodation, maintenance and
wellbeing
- the approximate numbers and categories
of staff to be employed in the zoo
- the approximate number of visitors and
motor vehicles for which accommodation is to be provided
- the approximate number and position of
access to be provided to the premises
- how required conservation measures will
be implemented at the zoo
At least two months before making the application, the applicant
must also publish notice of that intention in one local newspaper
and one national newspaper and exhibit a copy of that notice. The
notice must identify the location of the zoo and state that the
application notice to Mid Suffolk District Council is available to
be inspected at the Council offices. |
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Application
Evaluation Process |
When considering an application Mid Suffolk District Council
shall take into account any representations made by or on behalf
of:
- the applicant
- the chief officer of police
- the appropriate authority - this is
either the enforcing authority or relevant authority in whose area
the zoo will be situated
- the governing body of any national
institution concerned with the operation of zoos
- where part of the zoo is not situated in
the area of the local authority with power to grant the licence, a
planning authority for the relevant area (other than a county
planning authority)
- any person alleging that the zoo would
affect the health or safety of people living in the
neighbourhood
- anyone stating that the zoo would affect
the health or safety of anyone living near it
- any other person whose representations
might show grounds on which the authority has a power or duty to
refuse to grant a licence
Before granting or refusing to grant the licence, Mid Suffolk
District Council shall consider any inspectors' reports based on
their inspection of the zoo, consult the applicant about any
conditions they propose should be attached to the licence and make
arrangements for an inspection to be carried out. At least 28 days
notice of the inspection shall be provided by the Council.
Mid Suffolk District Council will not grant the licence if they
feel that the zoo would adversely affect the health or safety of
people living in near it, or seriously affect the preservation of
law and order or if they are not satisfied that appropriate
conservation measures would be satisfactorily implemented.
An application may also be refused if:
- Mid Suffolk District Council is not
satisfied that accommodation, staffing or management standards are
suitable for the proper care and wellbeing of the animals or for
the proper conduct of the zoo
- the applicant, or if the applicant is an
incorporated company, the company or any of the company's
directors, managers, secretaries or other similar officers, or a
keeper in the zoo, has been convicted of any offence involving the
ill-treatment of animals
Applications to renew a licence will be considered no later than
six months before the expiry of the existing licence, unless a
shorter time period is allowed by the local authority.
The Secretary of State, after consulting the local authority,
may direct them to attach one or more conditions to a licence.
The local authority may advise the Secretary of State that,
because of the small number of animals kept in the zoo or the small
number of the kinds of animal kept there, a direction should be
made that that a licence is not required. |
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Failed Application
Redress |
Please contact Mid Suffolk District Council’s
Environmental Health Department in the first instance.
If the applicant is refused a licence, they may appeal to a
magistrates' court within 28 days from the date on which the
applicant receives written notification of the
refusal. |
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Consumer
Complaint |
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint about a
zoo the first contact is made with the zoo by you - preferably in
the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked,
you may contact Mid Suffolk District Council’s Environmental Health
Department via Customer Service Direct. if you are located
in the UK, Consumer Direct will also give you advice.
From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Any person who wishes to appeal against a decision to close a
zoo may apply to the local Magistrates' court. Appeals must be made
within 28 days of the notice of the local authority
decision. |