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Zoos
Zoo licence
Licence summary
To run a zoo in Medway you need a licence from the council. The
licence will be subject to a fee and conditions to ensure the
proper conduct of the zoo.
Eligibility criteria
At least two months before making an application for a licence,
the applicant must give notice of their intention to make the
application in writing (including by electronic means) to the
council. 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 positions of access points to be
provided for the premises;
- how the necessary 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 the
council is available to be inspected at the council's offices.
Regulation summary
A summary of the regulation relating to this licence under the
Zoo Licensing Act 1981 is available at
www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1981/cukpga_19810037_en_1.
Application evaluation process
When considering an application, the council will take into
account any representations made by or on behalf of:
- the applicant;
- the chief officer of police for Kent and Medway;
- 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 council's area,
the planning authority for the relevant area;
- anyone stating that the zoo would affect the health or safety
of anyone living near it;
- anyone whose representations might show grounds on which the
council has a power or duty to refuse to grant a licence.
Before granting or refusing to grant the licence, the council
will 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, giving at least 28 days' notice.
The council will not grant the licence if it feels that the zoo
would affect the health or safety of people living near it
adversely, seriously affect the preservation of law and order or if
it is not satisfied that appropriate conservation measures would be
satisfactorily implemented.
An application may also be refused if:
- the 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 council.
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
after consulting the council, may direct it to attach one or more
conditions to a licence.
The council may advise the Secretary of State that, because of
the small number of animals kept in the zoo or the small number of
types of animal kept there, a direction should be made that that a
licence is not required.
Will tacit consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the council must process
your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard
from the council within the 90-day target time, please contact it.
You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes
service at
online.ukwelcomes.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/BGAuthenticate?site=2000
or by using the contact details below.
Apply online
Failed application redress
Please contact the council in the first instance, using the
contact details below. If an applicant is refused a licence, they
may appeal to a magistrates' court within 28 days of the date on
which they receive written notification of the refusal.
Licence holder redress
Please contact the council in the first instance, using the
contact details below. A licence holder may appeal to a
magistrates' court against:
- any condition attached to a licence or any variation or
cancellation of a condition;
- the refusal to approve the transfer of a licence;
- a zoo closure direction;
- enforcement steps relating to any unmet condition.
The appeal must be brought within 28 days of the date on which
the licence holder receives written notification of the council's
decision as to the relevant matter.
Consumer complaint
If you are a customer of a zoo, you should first contact the
operator, preferably in writing, with proof of delivery. If that
does not work and if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct
(www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/)
will give you advice. From outside the UK, contact the UK European
Consumer Centre (www.ukecc.net/).
Anyone who wishes to appeal against a decision to close a zoo
may apply to a magistrates' court. Appeals must be made within 28
days of the notice of the council's decision.
Other redress
If there are problems such as noise or pollution or if one
licence holder complains about another, please use the contact
details below.
Government advice
www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/zoos/index.htm
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