THE owner of the former New Forest Owl Sanctuary is fighting to win the planning permission that will allow his business to take off.

Falconer Giles Talbot bought the owl sanctuary at Crow, on the outskirts of Ringwood, from former owner Bruce Berry.

New Forest District Council slapped three enforcement notices on Mr Talbot shortly after he took over the sanctuary which he renamed Liberty's Raptor and Reptile Centre.

In July the council also refused planning permission for the centre.

Mr Talbot and partner Lynda Bridges appealed and on Wednesday November 10 a public inquiry took place in Ringwood Public Offices to decide the issue.

Planning inspector Alan Bragg was told the council gave planning permission for the change of use of the former piggery to an owl sanctuary and education centre in 1988.

"Since its inception the site has been a visitor attraction with the benefit of planning permission," said Mr Talbot's planning consultant Denys Franzini.

"The extensive car park alone confirms this and no issue seems to have been taken about this by the council at any time."

The raptor centre would re-use existing buildings without harming the local amenities and fitted in with planning policies, he said.

"There have been complaints of the noise of the public address system in the past. The appellant is proposing a low level speaker system to reduce the noise from the flying displays," he added.

"The centre will continue to act in a rescue and rehabilitation role for injured birds, and for veterinary training.

"The centre has been used for educational purposes in the past, and the appellants wish to continue to expand on this, and bring further aware-ness of owls and other raptors to the schools and colleges in the locality."

The inspector will publish his decision after considering the evidence.

First published: November 12