VIDEO: Dino plan is ‘saur’ point with villagers

Charlotte’s Ice-cream parlour is hoping to open its own version of ‘Jurassic Park’ at The Meadows this summer, after being approached by dinosaur creator Christian Cristobal from Ossett.

But the planning application has come up against objections from neighbours.

On Saturday, Mr Cristobal and some of his animatronic-type dinosaurs, were on site to launch a petition in favour of the new attraction. He and his friends collected more than 500 signatures in support of it.

Geoffrey Wraithmell, owner of Charlotte’s Icecream Parlour, which opened 15 years ago, said: “It’s not about explanding, it’s about getting the business back to where it was pre-recession.

“Businesses have to move with the times. You can’t stand still.”

The site already houses a small adventure playground, farm animals, a crazy golf course and a mini-train.

He said: “The dinosaurs are really impressive and children absolutely love things like that. Christian is brilliant at what he does and it seemed like the perfect business partnership.”

Over the years theme park designer and landscape architect, Mr Cristobal, has made a life-size pterodactyl and a woolley mammoth, as well as a life-like tyrannosaurus rex suit, which makes natural movements and sounds.

He moved to Ossett from the Philippines in 2006, and started making the creatures when he struggled to find work so he could start his own business as a feature act for birthday parties and other events.

He said: “The dinosaurs are always really well received wherever I go. The idea for the walk-through garden came to me one morning - it would be a great new attraction for the area.”

A spokesman for Kirklees Council, said: “The application was re-advertised following the submission of more information by the applicant. The consultation finishes on June 25 and it is likely to go before the Planning Sub-committee on July 4.”

Click here to watch a video of Mr Cristobel’s dinosaurs in action.