28.—(1) This regulation applies to a zoo which by virtue of the amendments made to the Act by these Regulations is required to be licensed under the Act but which immediately before 1st April 2003 was not required to be so licensed.
(2) Notwithstanding any such amendment, a person who immediately before 1st April 2003 was operating a zoo to which this regulation applies on any premises may continue to operate that zoo on those premises without a licence under the Act–
(a)during the period of 6 months beginning with that date; and
(b)if within that period application is made for a licence, until that application is finally disposed of or withdrawn.
(3) Section 16C of the Act does not apply to a zoo to which this regulation applies for so long as a person may by virtue of paragraph (2) continue to operate the zoo without a licence.
(4) If the licence is granted, it shall be granted for a period of four years beginning with the date on which the licence is granted.