Eligibility Criteria

At least two months before making an application for a licence, the applicant must give notice in writing (including by electronic means) to Redcar and Cleveland Borough 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 Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is available to be inspected at the local authority offices.

Regulation Summary

The are two key pieces of legislation related to the application and granting of zoo licences. These can be found on the gov.uk website through the links below:

Application Evaluation Process

When considering an application the local authority shall take into account any representations made by or on behalf of:

The applicant
The Chief Officer of Police for Cleveland 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), the local planning authority for the area in which it is situated
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, Redcar and Cleveland Borough 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 Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough 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:

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council are 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 Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

The Secretary of State, after consulting Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, 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 a licence is not required.

Fees and charges

£273.00 – New applications (4 year licences)
£382.00 – Renewal applications (6 year licences)Application fee (add £60.00 for each additional host)

Please note that these fees do not include any costs associated with inspections by a veterinarian.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No. It is in the public interest that we must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the us within 28 days, please contact us using the contact details below.

Apply Online

We aim to acknowledge your application within three working days. If you have applied online we will acknowledge your application via email.

Contact details

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
Licensing Team
Redcar and Cleveland House
Kirkleatham Street
Redcar
TS10 1RT

licensingadmin@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
01287 612377

Zoos licences