Havant Borough Council is responsible for licensing zoological parks within the Borough. Zoo operators must be aware of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and comply with the Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. These standards cover animal welfare, environmental issues, conservation, education and research. There is more information about zoo licensing on the Government website.
Apply via post or email:
You can email your application and supplementary documents to EHealth@havant.gov.uk, or post them to Animal Welfare, Havant Borough Council, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, PO9 2AX. Once the team has confirmed receipt of your application, you will be contacted directly for payment of the application fee.
We will need you to submit a plan of how you intend to meet the conservation requirements. It is recommended that you contact a specialist officer first for advice.
The Council cannot consider an application unless at least two months notice of the application has been given, plus publication of details in a local and national newspaper, and a notice placed at the site. After this has been done, the applicant may make a short written application for a zoo licence to the Council.
The Council must consult the police, fire authority, governing body of any national institute concerned with zoos, the adjoining authority if the zoo overlaps the area of that authority, and any person wishing to object on grounds of alleged injurious effect on the health or safety of persons living in the area. The Council must also arrange an initial inspection by suitable inspector(s) nominated by the Secretary of State before considering a new licence application.
If granted, your first licence will last for 4 years.
Please note that an application for a licence renewal must be received more than 6 months before the current licence expires. Failure to do so may result in the licence not being renewed in time and, thus a period where the business can not operate.
Sites are fully inspected every 3 years by a team of experts, including Government-appointed inspectors. These inspectors, usually veterinary practitioners, are appointed for their knowledge of the animals within the zoological collection and their experience in managing or working with zoological parks of comparable size. On years when there is no full inspection, an informal inspection is made by Council officers.
The cost of inspection and administration for the licence is charged to the zoo operator. This fee is variable but is based on the hourly rate of officers, and any fees due for appointing veterinarians and inspectors.