[Animals] Plans for exotic animal sanctuary rejected

[GL HERO SHIMA]

Plans to build a 10-hectare animal sanctuary alongside a spa and restaurant have been rejected by a council.

The wildlife retreat in Trowell, Nottinghamshire, would have kept lions, hippos and giraffes.

Broxtowe Borough Council rejected the plans on five different grounds, including building in the green belt.

Applicant Reece Oliver, who keeps lions, pumas and tapirs at his farm in Strelley, previously said the sanctuary would "improve lives".

Mr Oliver claimed to have searched more than 200 sites before choosing the land next to The Forge, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

He told the council's planning committee on Wednesday: "Animals are my life – I have rescued hundreds, and it pains me I don't have the finances to do more.

"The sanctuary will improve the lives of its animal residents and the local people, with 60 new jobs created and many more indirectly."

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj56m461preo