Court revokes planning permission for Cheshire East zoo

Animal rights group Freedom for Animals was successful in its legal challenge of the council’s decision to approve Zoo2U’s application for a Holmes Chapel wildlife park.

Zoo2U’s proposals sought to enable the group to relocate from its premises at Hall Farm in Alsager to a larger, three-acre site at Orchards Farm in Holmes Chapel. This larger site would include a visitor centre and several animal enclosures.

The decision had been controversial when it was made in July, with Cheshire East councillors unanimously going against planning officer recommendations in order to give the scheme a green light.

Cheshire East Council’s planning officers had suggested refusal because of the impact the zoo would have on the countryside. They said that approving the scheme would be a departure from policy.

In taking the local authority to court, Freedom for Animals stated that the council had not provided adequate reasons for choosing to not comply with officer recommendation. The group also took issue with the council’s treatment of animal welfare concerns.

With the high court siding with the activist group, Cheshire East Council will need to reevaluate the application. Freedom for Animals has also recovered most of its costs as part of the decision.

“Local authorities must take all factors into account when considering planning applications for new zoos and must ensure that any decision taken is lawful,” said Freedom for Animals director Andrew Kelly.

“We call on all local authorities to reject planning applications for any new zoos in the future.”

Freedom for Animals was represented by Landmark Chambers at the court.

To view the original planning application, search reference number 24/1108C on Cheshire East Council’s planning portal. The project team for Zoo2U’s application includes Richard Lee Project Planning, Anser Ecology, Danial Matthias Architecture, and Professional Consult.