Zoo Licensing Act 1981

[F116C Zoo closure direction for zoos without licencesE+W

(1)This section applies to a zoo—

(a)which is being operated without a licence;

(b)in relation to which no direction under section 14(1)(a) has effect; and

(c)which appears to the local authority to have been operated in contravention of this Act because, during the period of twelve months ending with the date on which the authority determine that it so appears to them, members of the public have had access to it on more days than permitted under section 1.

(2)If the authority are satisfied, after reasonable enquiries have been made, that the operator of a zoo to which this section applies cannot be found, they shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo.

(3)Otherwise, unless the authority inform the Secretary of State that in their opinion a direction should be made under section 14(1) in respect of the zoo, and he makes a direction under section 14(1)(a), the authority shall give to the operator at least 35 days’ notice in writing of—

(a)their intention to make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo; and

(b)the operator’s opportunity to be heard in accordance with subsection (4)(a).

(4)Where notice has been given under subsection (3)—

(a)the authority shall give the operator of the zoo an opportunity to be heard; and

(b)if, after the expiration of the period of at least 35 days referred to in subsection (3) and after giving the operator an opportunity to be heard, it does not appear to the authority that the view they reached as mentioned in subsection 1(c) was incorrect, they shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo, unless before the expiration of that period notice has been given to the authority under section 2(1) of intention to make an application for a licence for the zoo.

(5)Where, before the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (3), notice is given to the authority under section 2(1) of intention to make an application for a licence for the zoo, but—

(a)an application for a licence for the zoo is not made by the end of a period of three months beginning on the date on which the notice was given under section 2(1); or

(b)the application for a licence for that zoo is refused and—

(i)no appeal is brought against the refusal within the time mentioned in section 18(2); or

(ii)if an appeal is brought against the refusal within the time mentioned in section 18(2), it is abandoned, or the court confirms the decision to refuse the application,

the authority shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo.]

[F216C.Zoo closure direction for zoos without licencesS

(1)This section applies where the local authority are of the view that a zoo is being operated without a licence in contravention of the Act.

(2)If the authority are satisfied, after reasonable enquiries have been made, that the operator of a zoo to which this section applies cannot be found, they shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo.

(3)Otherwise, unless the authority inform the Scottish Ministers that in their opinion a direction should be made under section 14(1) and they make a direction under section 14(1)(a) the authority shall give to the operator of the zoo at least 35 days' notice in writing of–

(a)their intention to make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo; and

(b)the operator’s opportunity to be heard in accordance with subsection (4)(a).

(4)Where notice has been given under subsection (3)–

(a)the authority shall give the operator of the zoo an opportunity to be heard; and

(b)after the period of notice has expired, and after having given the operator an opportunity to be heard, the authority shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo unless–

(i)it appears to the authority that the view they reached as mentioned in subsection (1) was incorrect; or

(ii)notice under section 2(1) of intention to make an application for a licence for the zoo has been given to the authority before the expiration of the period of notice given under subsection (3).

(5)Where, before the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (3), notice is given to the authority under section 2(1) of intention to make an application for a licence for the zoo, but–

(a)an application for a licence for the zoo is not made by the end of a period of three months beginning on the date on which the notice was given under section 2(1); or

(b)the application for a licence for that zoo is refused and–

(i)no appeal is brought against the refusal within the time mentioned in section 18(2); or

(ii)if an appeal is brought against the refusal within the time mentioned in section 18(2), it is abandoned or the court confirms the decision to refuse the application,

the authority shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo.]