Man With Exotic Animals Must Relocate From Welsh Property
A planning inspector has dismissed an appeal, ordering the relocation of wallabies, porcupines, parrots, and other non-agricultural animals from a rural Welsh site.
A Carmarthenshire Council enforcement notice has resulted in a man being told to move his collection of exotic animals, including wallabies, porcupines, and parrots, from a rural property.
James Wale, who relocated to the 17-acre woodland near Llannon two years ago, had been keeping a variety of animals on the site. Neighbours had complained that the property sounded like a "tropical jungle," particularly at night, and that the site adversely affected neighbouring properties and the local area's character.
A planning inspector, appointed by Welsh ministers, has now dismissed Wale's appeal after visiting the land. The inspector noted that while there was a minor element of forestry and agricultural activity, the main operation involved keeping a diverse range of unusual animals, including eagles, falcons, hornbills, mongooses, skunks, porcupines, and wallabies, alongside more common livestock like chickens, ducks, and horses. This use was deemed to be of a "fundamentally different character" and unauthorized.
The inspector has granted Wale 12 months, rather than the initially proposed six, to cease using the land for keeping non-agricultural animals, remove animal enclosures, and restore the site to its original condition. The extended timeframe was given due to the unusual nature and variety of the animals, which may require more time to rehome.
In addition to relocating the animals, Wale has also been given 12 months to stop living on the land and to remove the log cabin and its associated drainage system.
Planning agents representing Wale stated that his original intention was to establish a "major tourism venture." His previous rare bird business in Pembrokeshire reportedly ended when its lease was not renewed. Upon moving to the Carmarthenshire site, Wale had initially hoped to set up an owl garden centre but scaled back his plans to create a private bird welfare home, along with some forestry and farming activities.
Documents submitted as part of the appeal process indicated that an abandoned venture planned to include enclosures for reptiles, mongooses, and other animals. A subsequent planning application was prepared for a smaller-scale venture featuring approximately 30 bird and animal enclosures, with Wale not intending to reside on the property.
Despite the inspector's decision, Wale's agents have indicated that a new planning application will be submitted with the aim of allowing the birds to remain on the site.