Bristol Zoo: Jonathan Dimbleby backs alternative ‘virtual zoo’ plans

A row over the future of Bristol Zoo Gardens wages on as broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby became the latest Bristol figure to step into the fray.

Mr Dimbleby is backing plans for the world’s first augmented reality zoo at the site, a proposal put forward by OurWorld Bristol.

The project is being led by former Bristol Mayor George Ferguson as an alternative to the Bristol Zoological Society’s plans to open the 12-acre gardens for free and build housing on its West Car Park Site.

The Society, which recently put up its West Car Park for sale with planning permission for a housing development, is preparing to move out of the city after 185 years to the Wild Place Project in South Gloucestershire in 2022.

They argue that the housing development will provide a source of income for the new Bristol Zoo, protecting the attraction and its vital conservation work.

But Mr Dimbleby, who lives in Hotwells, said the OurWorld Bristol project, which is also supported by TV historian Professor Alice Roberts, would instead ‘build on Bristol’s proud tradition of inventiveness and innovation which continue to push engineering and cultural boundaries’.

“There is an originality and creativity that make OurWorld Bristol such an exciting, magical prospect and a brilliant asset for people across the communities of Bristol,” he added.

“It will rightly celebrate the zoo’s past but what matters most is that it has the potential to inspire future generations to take an active interest in the natural world at a time when we need urgently to sustain the planet’s biodiversity and avoid the catastrophe of climate change.”

Mr Dimbleby’s comments come just a few days after five business leaders published an open letter supporting Bristol Zoo’s plans.

The authors of the letter include John Savage, executive chair of Visit West and John Hirst, former chief executive of Destination Bristol.

Matthew Tanner, chief executive of SS Great Britain, Andrew Billingham, chief executive of the YTL Arena Visit West’s director of tourism Kathryn West also lent their names.

The letter reads: “We are very pleased the Bristol community will be able to access the beautiful historic Bristol Zoo Gardens for free, as part of the Society’s plans for a residential-led scheme for the site in the future.

“We also wish to firmly state that the ‘alternative’ proposal put forward by Our World is unconvincing and unviable.

“While the small Clifton site has been home to the Zoo for 185 years, the proposal to redevelop the site - with all its constraints as an international visitor centre - has been carefully considered and evidence-based.

“Retaining the site as a visitor attraction is simply unviable for a modern attraction, not least with a court decision preventing future parking, and proposals for bespoke shuttle bus services proven to be undeliverable.

“The location of the site in a residential neighbourhood is simply no longer sustainable as a visitor attraction. Instead, selling the site will release the funds to help create a modern zoo and truly international visitor attraction for the people of Bristol and the region,” the letter from the five added.

The letter prompted a message of thanks from Bristol Zoo’s director of transformation Francesca Fryer, who said: “The letter of support for Bristol Zoological Society’s plans to redevelop its Clifton site and invest in the new Bristol Zoo at Wild Place Project, is hugely welcomed and appreciated.

“Our tourism leaders - from Visit West, Destination Bristol, YTL Arena and the SS Great Britain - know the sector and the challenges it faces following the global pandemic.

“They also understand the financial and operational challenges that the Clifton site has faced for many years.

“For instance, a recent High Court ruling will prevent parking at Bristol Zoo Gardens from 2024.

“Despite offering what is believed to be one of the most generous admissions discounts available in Bristol and the Southwest, to visitors arriving at the Zoo by sustainable modes of transport, the vast majority of people visit by car and will continue to do so.

“The site will simply be unable to operate as a visitor attraction from 2024 onwards.”