OWNERS of the former New Forest Owl Sanctuary at Ringwood have two opportunities to gain planning permission to reopen the popular educational and tourist attraction.

An appeal by falconer Giles Talbot against enforcement action taken by New Forest Council planners earlier this year is scheduled to be heard at a local inquiry on July 14.

On the same day a planning application by Mr Talbot and his partner Lynda Bridges for the continued use of the Crow Lane site as a bird of prey centre is expected to come before the council's development control committee.

Either way Mr Talbot, who took over the beleaguered owl sanctuary last September, is hoping for a speedy resolution to the red tape wrangles which have delayed the opening of his planned Liberty's raptor and reptile centre.

He said his plans were merely for refurbishment of the existing aviaries and structures at the owl sanctuary housed in a converted pig farm.

"It was obvious from the start that a lot of work was needed, some of the aviaries were literally falling down," said Mr Talbot.

He added: "We are not creating another Paultons Park but we want it to be a credit to Ringwood, not an eyesore."

"It will still be a bird of prey sanctuary, but refurbished and renamed."

New Forest Council planning officer Neil March explained that enforcement action was launched in January because the original planning consent for the owl sanctuary was personal to former owner Bruce Berry and his family and a number of additional buildings on the site had been put up without permission.

Mr March said: "The site is well-established but what they are proposing to do is move more towards a visitor attraction with some educational use of the site and a continued breeding programme."