Safari park rides under threat

Funfair rides at West Midland Safari Park could be under threat because they have not got the necessary planning permission, it was revealed today.

Wyre Forest District Council has turned down the attraction's application for a certificate of lawfulness which would have helped safeguard their future.

The council's decision means planning officers could take action to get rides taken down in the future.

It comes despite safari bosses arguing the park at Bewdley has existed as a visitor attraction for more than 10 years. The park has been ordered to take down the White Water Rafting Ride after it was denied retrospective planning permission. It has now applied for "a certificate of lawfulness of existing use of development". But planning officers have refused the certificate.

Spokeswoman for Wyre Forest District Council, Rebecca Dunne said: "All unauthorised structures require a four-year period of proof while all remaining unauthorised uses require a ten-year period of proof."

A spokesman for RPS Planning Consultants declined to comment on how many rides did not have planning approval. No one from the safari park was available for comment.