Update on new Bristol Zoo as construction of new enclosure set to commence


A flagship exhibit at the new Bristol Zoo Project could take a step forward as plans are finalised for construction. The zoo moved last year to merge with its sister attraction the Wild Place Project, having closed its iconic former site in Clifton.

Zoo bosses had previously advised that the first phase of development was "expected to start in 2024", at its new home in Easter Compton, South Gloucestershire. This first phase is an enclosure named the 'Central African Forest', accommodating endangered and critically endangered animals including western lowland gorillas, which are currently living at the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site.

The gorillas would be joined by cherry-crowned mangabeys, which would mark the first time in a UK zoo where both species would live side by side. Their new habitat would also include critically endangered slender-snouted crocodiles, endangered African grey parrots and several extremely threatened species of freshwater fish. Ostriches will also join the zoo as they are moved into the 'Central African Savannah'.

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Last week Bristol Zoo Project, which was renamed from the Wild Place Project, sought to discharge three planning conditions which need to be met before building work of the enclosure can take place. The submissions are due to go to a consultation before they can be signed off, but among the planning documents is a brief mention of the anticipated timeline, suggesting construction could begin in June.

Planning permission has already been granted for the expansion, which includes demolishing existing structures such as sheds and animal houses, with new enclosures, landscaping and learning spaces installed to provide an educational facility. It is hoped the enclosure will be ready to open next year.

Artist impression of the new Central African Forest habitat at its Bristol Zoo Project site.
Artist impression of the new Central African Forest habitat at its Bristol Zoo Project site. -Credit:Bristol Zoo / SWNS

It will be created in a dense forest within the 136-acre site’s boundaries, designed to evoke a sense of the landscape of Equatorial Guinea, where Bristol Zoological Society runs one of its largest conservation projects focused on gorillas and other threatened forest species. It is said to be part of ambitious plans to conserve and protect some of the world’s most threatened species.

The zoo has now submitted more details about pollution protection, construction traffic and archaeology, in hope of meeting three of the 23 planning conditions that South Gloucestershire Council attached to its approval of the scheme. The construction traffic report provides more details about the anticipated timeline.

It states: "Our construction programme has been produced to provide a steady stream of deliveries into the project, with an average of 15 deliveries per day over a 52 week period. This is likely to commence from June 2024.

"The site will be open for staff to arrive from 7am. It will be stipulated that all staff should be on site by 8am to avoid peak hours on the highway. The site will close between 4.30pm and 5pm. The operatives will be encouraged to get through the M5 J17 by 5pm, again, to avoid the peak times around Cribbs Causeway.

"All deliveries will avoid between 8am and 9 am and after 4.30pm." The report states that no road closures or abnormal loads are anticipated as a result of the works."

It adds that the peak number of staff on site is expected to be 40, adding: "Although the Zoo have car parking within the Hollywood Mansion area we have elected to extend the compound to enable site staff to park remotely."

Brian Zimmerman, director of conservation and science at Bristol Zoological Society, said in January: “All of the mammals, birds, reptiles and fish that will live in the “Central African Forest” are classified as threatened in the wild. The creation of this habitat not only presents a unique opportunity for us to bring these wonderful creatures together and expand our conservation work, it also enables us to participate in, and lead, managed breeding programmes, which will help to protect them in the future.”

Meanwhile the former site of Bristol Zoo in Clifton is set to be turned into 196 homes after planning permission was given in April 2023 and the Government refused to intervene. Forty of the homes will be classed as 'affordable housing'.

The developments are expected to start in 2025 however campaigners are still fighting against the controversial scheme. They had hoped for the Secretary of State to intervene and carry out an inquiry into the proposal.

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees confirmed last year that the housing plan will proceed, sharing on X, formerly Twitter: “Plan for 200 new homes (20 per cent affordable) in Clifton will proceed, after the Secretary of State declined to 'call-in' the decision. The conservation charity can thrive at a site ten times bigger, while the old zoo gardens open for free to people in Bristol."

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