APE rescue centre Monkey World is reverting to previous plans so that it can re-home up to 30 chimps currently living in terrible conditions around the world as soon as possible.

The centre near Wool had submitted a planning application for a new ape house and enclosure to Purbeck District Council. But after objections were raised and a decision on the proposals was delayed for a site visit, founders Jim and Alison Cronin decided to withdraw the application and revert to one which had already been approved.

Jim explained: "We had designed almost three years ago quite a large complex going further up the hill. As part of our redesign, we thought it would be nicer to put the building at the bottom of the hill. But the councillors had concerns.

"As soon as they had questions it brings up the possibility of rejection. We can't delay and we don't want to delay so we thought 'let's go back to the old, approved design'.

"We've been working on it and we think it's fantastic, our architects in Seattle are really quite fantastic and we're thrilled."

Jim and Alison have a list of chimps that need rescuing urgently from Turkey, Mexico, Angola and Lebanon. Some are working as beach props, some are used in television shows and many are kept in cramped, dirty conditions.

The Cronins have also been asked to take a group of 30 from an Austrian laboratory which is closing down.

The centre cannot take any more adult apes until the new enclosure is built.

Jim said: "We've got the funds together and we hope to be going to tender in the next two to three months. We would hope by towards the end of summer that things will be well on the way."

First published: December 19