A retired couple have been forced to close down a respite centre because of planning red tape.

Alan Jackman and Ruth Fayers set up a 20 acre plot at Hill Farm and made it a home to emus, alpacas, wallabies, horses, goats and many more animals.

The couple opened up their home to the public to help people, including the disabled.

Braintree Council told them to close it, claiming the farm was effectively a zoo and the couple had breached planning regulations by installing a zip wire, disabled toilets and children’s play equipment.

It is understood they were also told they could not apply for retrospective permission.

Mr Jackman said: “The idea was to have a respite centre where people can come and have a picnic, that was it. It was never intended as a petting farm, but we are definitely not a zoo.

“Our insurance is just over £2,200. For the first two years we didn’t even cover the cost of that. It has never been about the money.

“I am still open to disabled visitors.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

The couple initially accepted donations to help with the upkeep and food but found it was fairer to ask for £5 per adult and £3 for children.

He added: “We accept there were planning issues, which were the disabled toilets and the zip wire.

“I had to take down the children’s play area.

“The council came and told us they think we are a zoo.

“It was never intended as a petting farm, but we are definitely not a zoo.

“I did a survey of everyone in the parishes – Finchingfield, Wethersfield and Bardfield – and only two people with negative responses.

“We spoke to DEFRA who said the council could apply for an exemption certificate so we are not classed as a zoo, but the council would not apply because the officer did not know what he was going to do.”

A spokesman for Braintree Council said: “The appeal against our enforcement notice relating to the unauthorised petting farm was dismissed by the planning inspectorate.”

The notice had to be complied with by October 11.

The respite centre in Great Bardfield, built as an extension to their home three years ago, can now only open seven-days-a-year for people to see the animals.