Plans to open a reptile house in place of Basildon Zoo have been criticised by animal welfare campaigners.

A storm of protest has been whipped up after a decision by bosses at the zoo to transform the flagging site into a centre for snakes and lizards.

The Captive Animals' Protection Society - of which Basildon MP Angela Smith is a patron - is bemused at Basildon Council's decision to grant the zoo's owners a licence for reptiles.

Diane Westwood, zoo campaigns director, is convinced standards have fallen at the London Road site and wants to see the site developed into a non-animal facility.

She said: "I really cannot understand why the local authority would allow another captive animal establishment here.

"In my opinion, the owners have not shown that they are capable of providing adequate conditions for their animals in the past.

"How do we know the same will not happen to the reptile house and yet more animals will need to be rehomed if the project flops?"

Mrs Smith backed concerns about the zoo's fresh application.

Yolande Surcouf, who runs the zoo, said: "At this present moment, we do not want to comment."

The big cats at the zoo have had to be rehomed after bosses decided not to reapply for the dangerous animal licence and although some have gone there are still some needing new homes.

The zoo cannot re-open until they are all gone but Basildon Council has granted a temporary licence allowing the cats to stay there until homes are found.

Published Thursday, February 21, 2002