'Parrot experience' plan slammed by animal charity

An animal charity has slammed a "cruel" plan to build a "parrot experience" in a former ice-cream shop.

Developers want to create an artificial jungle where visitors would be offered the chance to interact with free-roaming parrots and other exotic birds in Blackpool.

A planning application has been lodged with Blackpool Council for the change of use of the ground floor premises at 64-66 Talbot Road.

But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Foundation said it would "send the message that it's acceptable to confine animals for novelty encounters and profit".

Launching a petition against the idea PETA said it would "also convey to children that animals are here for us to exploit, rather than protect in their natural habitat".

"We desperately need to move away from cruel animal attractions, and this establishment would be a huge step backwards," the charity said.

The planning and heritage statement said the building would be divided internally to form a reception area and a main bird area separated by a rope netting wall.

"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," it said.

"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."

The applicant, Przemyslaw Antonowicz, said he was seeking to address potential noise issues by involving less vocal species such as macaws, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

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