Council planning officers had advised councillors against approving Zoo2U’s application and recommended it be rejected on the grounds it could damage the character and appearance of the area.
They had said the approving the plan was a “significant departure from policy” and the application should be referred up to the council’s strategic planning board.
Two days later it was announced the southern planning committee’s decision to approve the application stood.
“The council has accepted it did not provide adequate reasons to approve the planning application,” a council spokesman said.
Freedom for Animals director Dr Andrew Kelly said the group challenged the decision on “animal welfare grounds.”
“We call on all local authorities to reject planning applications for any new zoos in the future,” he added.
