A judge has adjourned former model Jodie Marsh's appeal against a council decision that rejected her application for a licence to keep lemurs at her animal sanctuary.
Ms Marsh, a well-known media personality and bodybuilder, has said at previous hearings that much of the criticism directed at her home in Lindsell, nine miles north-west of Braintree in Essex, comes from internet trolls.
Last year, Uttlesford Borough Council rejected her application to keep the lemurs, prompting Ms Marsh's appeal.
Five videos of the zoo's screeching lemurs were played at a hearing at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Andrew Bonham, senior environmental officer for Uttlesford, said the zoo had carried out a noise study, the details of which were not disclosed in court.
“I don't think most people know what lemurs sound like,” he told the court.
He added that the videos did not involve the animals that were the subject of Ms Marsh's claim.
Mr Bonham said Ms Marsh had been asked to provide information on the location of the lemurs she was considering purchasing to assess the noise levels the animals were making, but “she was unable to provide that information”.
Paul Oakley, representing Ms Marsh, asked Mr Bonham from what distance the footage of the lemurs was taken.
Mr Bonham replied that four of the videos were filmed from three metres away and one from 70 metres away.
He said the nearest neighbouring plot or window to Ms Marsh's suspected lemur habitat was “about 45 metres away”.
“If these particular lemurs that were recorded… had ended up in Ms Marsh's possession, it would likely have resulted in violations and we would likely have received complaints,” Mr Bonham added.
Mr Oakley said council staff believed “lemurs themselves are unlikely to be a source of noise”.
He described the suggestion that “lemurs were likely contributing to the (noise) impact” as “unfounded.”
Mr Oakley also said the lemurs Ms Marsh had intended to purchase had been relocated to other locations.
He added that the new legislation, which comes into force in April
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
