EXPERTS have said a new tiger house at West Midland Safari Park - erected without permission - should remain, despite pleas by neighbours to tear it down.

Councillors have been urged to allow the tiger house to stay, even though neighbours said they felt "intimidated, threatened and, indeed, afraid" by the 14 tigers who live there.

In a report, which will tonight be handed to members of the planning (development control) committee at Wyre Forest District Council, case officer, Paul Round, said: "Admittedly, the position of the compound has brought animals closer to the residential properties, thus potentially increasing the volume of animal noise.

"However, I feel that in terms of noise, any increase is not so significant over and above that of the general noise of the park."

He added: "The safari park has confirmed that the security measures in place are more than adequate to ensure the tigers do not escape. However, I do appreciate the concerns of the neighbours and this is particularly worrying when dealing with those types of wild animals."

Neighbours at two properties inside the park had complained the pen was too close to their homes and said a child had been left "absolutely terrified" after witnessing a fight between two tigers.

Bewdley Town Council also objected to the application. Members said it was "far too close" to the residents' homes and the safari park had shown "arrogance and disregard for the planning laws".

Safari park bosses have said they did not realise they needed planning permission as they were replacing another tiger pen in the Kidderminster Road attraction.

Mr Round said the building was not inappropriate or a blight on the "appearance or character of the landscape" and would "continue to attract visitors to the area and enhance the tourism objectives of the district".

There was not "sufficient weight to justify the refusal of planning permission", he said.