- Councillors said they were concerned Marsh teated the animals as personal pets
- The former model said Uttlesford District Council had a ‘vendetta’ against her
Former model Jodie Marsh has had plans to expand her animal sanctuary scuppered after she took an owl and a meerkat to the pub.
The ex-TV reality star was refused a dangerous wild animal licence to keep eight ring-tailed lemurs after councillors were told ‘she was not suitable’ to look after the animals at Fripps Farm, Dunmow, Essex.
Members of Uttlesford District Council (UDC) were told that Marsh had previously taken a baby meerkat she was rearing into a local pub twice claiming ‘it couldn’t be left alone.’
On another occasion she had taken an owl to the boozer.
Ms Marsh has vowed to contest the decision, telling the Bishop’s Stortford Independent that the council has a ‘vendetta’ against her.
UDC councillor Richard Freeman told a meeting of its licensing and environmental health committee: ‘The panel is concerned that Jodie Marsh has a perception that the animals in her care are her personal pets.’
Marsh, 45, founded her animal sanctuary in 2020 and had applied for a dangerous wild animal licence to keep eight ring-tailed lemurs.
Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups called ‘troops’ of up to 30 and are known as one of the most vocal primates.
The council rejected Marsh’s application this week citing concerns noise from the lemurs could impact the community.
They said that efforts had been made to identify the primates who were to be re-homed at Fripps Farm but had been unable to do so as Marsh said the current owner was not willing to give her his address.
Councillors heard concerns that Marsh’s perception of some animals as her pets could result in poor judgements between appropriate care and attention – and the desire to promote the farm.
A spokesman for Uttlesford District Council said: ‘The panel carefully considered the information available to it and determined that it was not appropriate to grant the licence for the reasons given in the decision notice.
‘This decision was based purely on the relevant information and the legislation.
‘Given the applicant has a right to appeal the decision to the magistrates courts, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further.’
Marsh, known for her stints on Essex Wives and Celebrity Big Brother, has vowed contest the licence rejection.
She said: ‘This is a vendetta against me.
‘Uttlesford Council has had it in for me from the day I moved to Uttlesford.
‘They have treated me unfairly and discriminated against me for 11 years, and I can prove that.
‘They are acting like these lemurs are coming out of a jungle into my garden.
‘I just feel disappointed in the council because it is a useless council, it doesn’t do anything for the people.’
Fripps Farm looks after more than 400 animals including emus and reptiles and Marsh has previously said she uses her OnlyFans funds to run it.
She has been a vegetarian since the age of five and became vegan in 2023.
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