A planning application which will transform the Bristol Zoo site has been submitted to the city council. The zoo will close on September 3, 2022 and move to a new location at the Wild Place Project in South Gloucestershire.
And a planning application to redevelop the Clifton site has finally been prepared by Bristol Zoological Society. Under the plans, the gardens would be accessible to the public for free for the first time since the site opened to the public in 1836.
Much of the gardens will remain unchanged, although a new play area will be created. A new café and exhibition space will be created in the zoo entrance building and cultural, educational and community events will be held there.
Read more: Bristol Zoo plans summer of events ahead of September closure
Space will also be reserved for community events in the existing Terrace Theatre building, and features such as the Monkey Temple and the former Bear Pit will also be preserved.
Other plans include the creation of approximately 200 new homes located mainly in areas where there are already built structures. The buildings will range from two to six storeys high and and 20 percent will be affordable, according to planning documents submitted with the application.
Bristol Zoological Society plans to sell the 12-acre site, but says that it has led the planning application to ensure that it protects the legacy of the gardens, and to secure the future of the charity. Dr Justin Morris, chief executive of the society, said: “This is an important milestone and an exciting step forward for the future of Bristol Zoological Society.
“We are confident in our plans and proud of the ambition and quality of the design proposals we have submitted. Importantly, these plans will secure the site as a vital community asset, so everyone can enjoy its beauty and heritage for many years to come.”
A series of events will take place over the summer to celebrate the zoo before it closes. Wild Place Project will remain open to visitors while the new Bristol Zoo is constructed.
