Petting Zoo Approved in the Green Belt
Planning permission secured in the Green Belt near Brentwood to regularise a petting zoo for exotic animals at an existing animal sanctuary.
PLANNING APPROVALSESSEXBRENTWOODGREEN BELT APPROVALS
Andrew Ransome
8/31/20263 min read
In 2026, I secured planning permission on behalf of a long-established animal sanctuary on the edge of Brentwood for the change of use of part of its site to a zoo, enabling the charity to obtain the zoo licence it needed for the exotic species in its care, while preserving the openness of the surrounding Green Belt.
The Planning Challenge
The sanctuary had operated from its site since the 1980s, caring for around 700 rescued animals under an established use that, like a zoo, is defined in planning terms as sui generis.
Over time it had taken in a small number of exotic species, including reptiles and exotic mammals, which brought part of the operation within the statutory definition of a zoo for licensing purposes.
Without planning permission for that specific element, the charity could not obtain the zoo licence it needed, and had been restricted to displaying its exotic animals to the public for just six days a year.
Visitor numbers, and the income the charity relied on, had fallen steadily as a result.
A Proportionate 'Micro Zoo' Solution
Rather than seeking to licence the whole site, I brought forward a proposal to regularise only the specific enclosures where exotic species were housed, aligning the licensed area precisely with what the licensing legislation required.
This 'micro zoo' or 'bubble zoo' approach meant no new buildings, no expansion of the site, and no change to the sanctuary's existing daily visitor cap of 1,200 people.
The submission demonstrated that the change of use would simply allow year-round public viewing of animals already on site, restoring visitor numbers to their historic level rather than increasing them.
Navigating Green Belt Policy
The site lies within the Green Belt, where paragraph 142 of the NPPF confirms that openness and permanence are its essential characteristics, and paragraph 153 requires substantial weight to be given to any harm.
I demonstrated that the proposal fell squarely within the exceptions to inappropriate development set out at paragraph 154 of the NPPF, in particular the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation facilities associated with a change of use, and material changes of land use for outdoor recreation, both of which preserve openness where no new buildings or structures are involved.
I also showed compliance with Strategic Policy MG02 of the Brentwood Local Plan, which supports enhanced access to, and recreational use of, the Green Belt, and with Policy PC02 in terms of supporting the rural economy.
Highways and Residential Amenity
With the visitor cap and opening hours unchanged and no additional buildings or parking proposed, Essex Highways confirmed the proposal would have no negative impact on highway safety, satisfying Policies BE12 and BE13 of the Local Plan.
On residential amenity, I addressed concerns previously raised about noise from the sanctuary by demonstrating that the proposal introduced no new activity beyond what had operated at the site for decades. The Council's Environmental Health team raised no objection, supporting compliance with Policy BE14 of the Local Plan.
The Planning Outcome
Planning permission was granted, allowing the sanctuary to apply for its zoo licence and put its rescued exotic animals back on public display all year round, safeguarding both the charity's income and the long-term welfare of the animals in its care, while leaving the openness and character of the Green Belt entirely unaffected.
Planning Application Advice
If you run a rural business, charity or visitor attraction facing a similar challenge in the Green Belt, get in touch to discuss how I can help bring your proposal forward.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
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Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
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