Former safari park chiefs refused new zoo site

The would-be operators of the new attraction used to run South Lakes Safari Zoo at Dalton-in-Furness

Plans for a new wild animal reserve, to be run by the operators of a recently closed zoo at the centre of long-running welfare concerns, have been turned down.

Proposals for the site near Tebay in Cumbria, submitted by bosses of the former South Lakes Safari Zoo, were rejected by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) which said it would have a negative impact on the way the area looks.

YDNPA chairman Derek Twine also said unauthorised work had already begun on the site and further action would be taken if that work was not remedied.

The scheme's applicants, New Roots Holding Company (NRHC), refused to comment.

Speaking following the decision on Tuesday, Mr Twine said NRHC's plans for the 120-acre site - including "haphazard buildings and large concreted areas" - would cause "significant visual harm to the iconic landscape".

He said the authority's members were also anxious that "work had already begun which had not been authorised".

"This is not acceptable and has been passed back to our officers to seek to have some remedial action undertaken.

"If not responded to, things will have to be taken further," Mr Twine said.

Warning: This article contains images of animal injuries which some readers may find distressing.

NRHC initially wanted to accommodate exotic animals, including white rhino, giraffes, honey badgers, zebras, red panda, sloths and lynx, as well as UK domestic species.

However, subsequent revised plans excluded the former, proposing instead just a range of sheep, goats, pigs, cows, chickens, geese and ducks.

NRHC's six directors were previously directors of Cumbria Zoo Company Limited (CZCL), which had taken over the running of South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton-in-Furness from 2017 until its closure in December 2024.

A BBC investigation of South Lakes heard allegations from former staff of avoidable animal deaths, welfare issues and a bullying culture, all of which CZCL denied.

The BBC was handed photos by former staff at South Lakes, including one showing an injured zebra

Prior to CZCL's takeover, South Lakes had an extremely troubled past.

Its former owner David Gill was refused a licence following the deaths of almost 500 animals in a three-year period.

In 2013, keeper Sarah McClay was killed by a tiger which got through an open door into the corridor where she was working.

Formed from Mr Gill's own board of directors, CZCL promised a raft of improvements under their watch, with chief executive Karen Brewer insisting: "Our priority at all times is the high quality of care for all of our animals."