North Lincolnshire Green Party object to planning permission being granted for Scunthorpe Petting Zoo

North Lincolnshire Green Party has logged their objections with North Lincolnshire Council and will be campaigning to stop planning permission being granted for a Petting Zoo to be opened in Messingham.

North Lincolnshire Council will be making a decision regarding the planning application later this month but the ethics and morality of the proposed Petting Zoo will not affect their decision to grant a permit.

North Lincs Green Party have urged the Council to consider concerns for the welfare of the animals and the impact the Petting Zoo will have to the surrounding roads and residents when they make their decision.

Amongst other concerns raised, North Lincolnshire Green Party say “The planned proposal is set in a largely rural, residential area and the expansion of this land to become a Petting Zoo is going to put more stress on the surrounding roads and residents living in the area. The planned Petting Zoo will cause a larger influx of traffic on a daily basis which will not only put more stress on the already small, single lane road but also stress on the residents who have to live with the increase in noise. The welfare of the animals and how they are to be housed are also of great concern. By granting permission for this application, animals will be kept in unnatural social and family groups and the habitats they are to be kept in will inhibit natural behaviour. It is unethical for these animals to be used solely for the public’s enjoyment”

North Lincs Green Party Coordinator, Laura Atkin also has concerns over the applicant’s proposal to ‘educate members of the public on the care and husbandry of exotic animals.’ She says “Meerkats, Monkeys, Racoons and such animals aren't pets and should never be kept as such. Their domestic ownership should not be encouraged on any level. If permission is granted for this Petting Zoo, it could potentially cause yet more animals to be abandoned once owners realise that these animals aren't the cute, easy to look after 'pet' they originally bought. The level of care needed for these animals just isn't possible in a small domestic environment like a family home.”

The full letter to the Council can be read online by visiting North Lincs Green Party’s website, www.northlincs.greenparty.org.uk and clicking on ‘Campaigns’ followed by ‘Scunthorpe Petting Zoo’.

*ENDS*

www.northlincs.greenparty.org.uk – letter of objection can be viewed by accessing the campaigns tab and clicking on ‘Scunthorpe Petting Zoo’

http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/planning/search-and-comment-on-planning-applications/ - view details of the planning application that has been submitted. Search for PA/2015/0651