Council quashes zoo plans following challenge from animal rights campaigners
Cheshire East Council has quashed its decision to grant planning permission for a zoo following a judicial review threat from animal rights campaigners.
The council's planning committee approved the development in July of this year, paving the way for the construction of a zoo and wildlife conservation park with animal enclosures, a visitor centre, and amenity buildings.
Members approved the development despite a recommendation from the council's planning officer to refuse permission.
In a report considered by the planning committee, the officer said the proposal would encroach on the open countryside, remove the open characteristics of the land, and have negative visual effects on the surrounding area.
It also said the plan failed to make best use of existing infrastructure.
The animal rights charity behind the ensuing legal challenge, Freedom for Animals, claimed that the decision did not provide reasons for deviating from the planning officer's report.
Their letter before claim also argued that the decision failed to take into account animal welfare.
In response to the letter, a Cheshire East Council spokesperson said the local authority had now accepted that it "did not provide adequate reasons to approve the planning application".
"The decision is therefore quashed, and the application will now be reconsidered," the statement added.
Edie Bowles, solicitor and managing director of Advocates for Animals, provided legal advice to the charity.
Alex Shattock of Landmark Chambers also assisted the claimant.
Commenting on the decision, Dr Andrew Kelly, Director of Freedom for Animals called on all local authorities to "reject planning applications for any new zoos in the future".
"It is our position that this zoo and zoos in general cannot be justified on animal welfare grounds," Dr Kelly added.
Edie Bowles meanwhile said: "It is vital that planning decisions receive proper scrutiny, especially where the lives of so many animals are at stake."
The charity said it has recovered most of its legal costs.
Adam Carey
