Yahoo News Animal lover outrages neighbours by submitting plans to keep two lions and a puma in his back garden
An animal lover has outraged his neighbours by asking permission to keep two lions and a puma in an enclosure in his back garden.
Reece Oliver rescued two big cats from a circus in eastern Europe and wants to keep them in a big cat enclosure - along with a puma he already owns.
He has applied to the council planning committee for permission to adapt the already-existing enclosure on land at his home in Strelley, Nottinghamshire.
Mr Oliver - who is licenced to keep wild animals - says the lions could be left homeless and may be put down if he does not get permission to keep them.
But after 14 objections from locals - some who are worried about noise and the safety of their pets - officers have recommended the planning committee at Broxtowe Borough Council reject the application.
In a report to the planning committee, an officer said: “The benefits of the proposal are that it will enable the conservation of wild animals, the welfare of which is allegedly at risk should permission not be granted.
“However, it is considered that the size and design of the enclosure represents significant harm to the openness of the Green Belt and is not in keeping with the rural nature of the surrounding area.
“The enclosure is explicitly required for the safe keeping of the wild cats and it is considered that the harm to the Green Belt is not outweighed by the very special circumstances put forward by the applicant.
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“Furthermore, the Local Planning Authority is not convinced that all other options for the safekeeping of the animals other than at the site in question have been fully explored.”
According to planning documents, wildlife lover Mr Oliver rescued the lions as cubs from a circus, and he currently owns them.
The applicant argued the proposal represented “very special circumstances”.
He asked for permission to change the use of the land to keep fully licenced wild cats.
If the plans are granted, the lions and puma would be kept in an enclosure measuring 380sqm and 3.84m in height, encased with metal mesh to prevent the animals from escaping.
Mr Strelley says he has no intention of developing a zoo or allowing public access to the animals.
Councillors at Broxtowe Borough Council were due to issue a decision for the plans on June 26, councillors have been recommended to reject the proposals.
