Anger in Bristol as councillors approve plan for homes on site of zoo

Bristol zoo gardens campaigners outside the city's council HQ holding computer-generated images of the proposed development. Photograph: Adrian Sherratt/The Guardian

Controversial plans to build almost 200 homes on the site of Bristol’s beloved zoo gardens have been approved by councillors, who concluded that the development would help ease the city’s housing crisis.

Protesters argued that this was Bristol’s “Joni Mitchell moment” and that the politicians who had backed the “monstrosity” would be remembered as having “paved paradise” and be a laughing stock.