Appeal or re-evaluate an animal welfare licence

Appeal a decision to refuse or revoke a licence

You can also appeal a decision that we’ve made to:

• refuse to grant you a licence
• renew your licence
• revoke your licence

You must do this within 28 days of receiving our decision notice.

Find out how to make an appeal to a tribunal (GOV.UK)

Appeal the star rating of you animal welfare licence

Who can appeal

If you hold an animal welfare licence and disagree with the star rating you've been awarded, you can:

• appeal against the decision, or
• accept the rating and ask for a re-evaluation

You need to submit a formal appeal to us within 21 days of the licence being issued.

Before you appeal

Discuss your star rating with the officer who inspected your premises.

They can explain how we worked out the rating and this might resolve the matter without the need to lodge an appeal. These discussions are not part of the formal appeal process and do not affect the deadline within which you must lodge an appeal.

The appeal process

1. Submit your appeal with any supporting documents. Email your appeal to us at licensing@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or post it to the Licensing Team, Royal Borough of Greenwich, The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London SE18 6HQ.
2. We have 21 days to consider your appeal once we receive it.
3. We’ll notify you as soon as we’ve made a decision.

How we assess your appeal

To make a decision on your appeal, we:

• review the inspection paperwork
• investigate past records of the business
• make a further site visit, If needed

You’ll need to pay any costs for appeal inspections unless it results in a higher rating.

Read more about our animal welfare licence appeals process:

When the appeal is complete

If you disagree with the outcome of the appeal, or believe we have not provided our service properly, you can make a complaint.

Find out how to complain about the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Request a re-evaluation of your star rating

Before you request a re-evaluation

if you accept the star rating we’ve awarded, you can request a re-evaluation at any point.

You might want to do this because you’ve taken advice and made some improvements.

If your licence is due for renewal soon, it may be cheaper for to wait until you submit your licence renewal application instead of seeking a re-evaluation.

The re-evaluation process

1. Submit your request with any supporting documents. Email your request to us at licensing@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or post it to Licensing Team, Royal Borough of Greenwich, The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London SE18 6HQ.
2. We’ll re-inspect the premises and complete a new report - we charge a fee of £290.04 to cover our administration and inspection costs.
3. If appropriate, we’ll award a new star rating.
4. If we award you a higher star rating, we’ll extend the licence period.

After you’ve been re-evaluated

If you disagree with the outcome of the re-evaluation, or believe we have not provided our service properly, you can:

• challenge it through judicial review, or
• make a complaint - Complain about the Royal Borough of Greenwich