Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park built a polar bear enclosure and other structures without planning permission, it has emerged.

The park owned by TV personality Jimmy Doherty and his wife Michaela, dug out pools and erected huge fencing in the enclosure to rehouse two polar bears from a zoo in Sweden, which was closing. However the two-year-old cub Miki did not survive the move and died at Jimmy Farm, with what was described as an underlying heart condition.

Miki with mum Ewa in Sweden

Workers at the farm started construction on the enclosure last August along with fenced enclosures for arctic wolves and reindeers, before applying for planning permission to local authority Babergh District Council at the beginning of October.

The application DC/23/04588, made by Mrs Doherty, retrospective asked for a change of use of land from agricultural to the keeping of animals in line with the on-site zoo licence, to include enclosure fencing, animal house and engineering operations associated with regrading land and formation of pools.

They are looking to erect three metre (10ft) fences for three separate enclosures over an approximately 11 acres (4.5 hectares) area and includes electric fencing and deer fencing.

Within the areas are water pools/ponds, as well an animal house.

Arctic wolves came from Cumbria (Picture: Chris Daggan)

The fencing and housing are specialist designed to meet zoo licensing requirements.

Jimmy's Farm claim in a planning statement they needed to build the enclosures without permission to ensure the animals would be saved*

The public consultation is now open and people can add their comments here until November 7 on the Babergh planning website, using reference: DC/23/04588

A spokesperson for Babergh District Council said: "Jimmy's Farm is an important tourist attraction in our district, and we have been working with them to ensure all necessary requirements are met regarding the arrival of their new species and the new enclosure.

"Our environmental protection team has worked with Jimmy's to ensure the welfare of the animals and public safety, while our planning team has been handling the current application.

"As residents would expect, everybody must comply with planning requirements. As the planning authority, we will always apply these fairly and consistently. This is a transparent process - every application can be seen on our website, and people are urged to have their say.

"When an application is made retrospectively – as has happened in this case - it must go through the same, rigorous process."

It is probable that the decision will be decided by planning officers behind closed doors. However, due to the controversial nature of the application, and its retrospective aspect, it is possible it will be heard by a full Babergh planning committee.

The application can be called in by Orwell ward member Daniel Potter, which includes Jimmys farm. Cllr can be contacted [email protected]

Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park were contacted for comment but failed to respond.

*There was never any evidence that any of the polar bears would be killed, except in claims made on Jimmy Farms' subscription videos. Orsa Park, which was being redeveloped, had always said it was looking to rehome all their animals, which they have done successfully with a family of polar bears moving to a Staffordshire wildlife park earlier in the year without incident.

Michaela Docherty (Picture: Jimmy's Farm)