Zoo Licensing Act 1981

Valid from 08/01/2003

[F1 16C Zoo closure direction for zoos without licences E+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.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 16C inserted (E.) (8.1.2003) by S.I. 2002/3080, regs. 1(1), 2, 21 (which insertion is extended (W.) (22.4.2003) by virtue of The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/992), regs. 1(1), 2(1), Sch. para. 18 (with reg. 4))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 16C restricted (E.) (8.1.2003) by S.I. 2002/3080, regs. 1(1), 28(3)(which insertion is extended (W.) (22.4.2003) by virtue of The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/992), regs. 1(1), 2(1), Sch. para. 18 (with reg. 4))