'Parrot experience' up before planners
BBCA petition against plans for a 'parrot experience' in a former ice-cream shop has been signed by more than 16,000 people.
Blackpool Council is due to discuss the application for the attraction on Talbot Road later.
Applicant Przemyslaw Antonowicz wants to create a jungle-themed area where visitors can interact with free-flying birds.
Animal rights organisation PETA, which launched the petition, has raised concerns about animal welfare.
Other concerns relate to how the birds would be caged, how waste would be disposed of and the potential for noise disturbance.
The applicant said he was seeking to address noise concerns by including less vocal species, such as macaws.
The planning and heritage statement said the building would be divided into a reception area and a main bird enclosure, separated by a rope-net wall.
It said: "Within the bird area, the parrots will be flying free, with branches, artificial foliage and other purpose-built jungle-themed items around the edges of the room.
"Key feature items (such as artificial trees) will help subdivide the large space to create smaller areas for visitors to interact with the birds individually."
One submission supporting the attraction has also been received, although details have not been made public.
Planning officers are recommending councillors approve the application, subject to conditions including acceptable waste management arrangements and a noise attenuation scheme.
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