‘Why I approved plans to build 200 homes at Bristol Zoo’

One of the councillors to give the green light for plans to build almost 200 new homes at the historic Bristol Zoo Gardens has hit out at critics of the scheme.

Richard Eddy is the City Councillor for Bishopsworth Ward and also Chairman of the Development Control ‘A’ Committee that decided to press ahead and grant permission for the new homes despite enormous public opposition.

The zoo closed last year but the money raised from the new development will help pay to keep the site’s historic gardens open to the public.

Critics opposing the scheme slammed the loss of many trees and biodiversity, the impact on the architectural heritage of the Victorian buildings, and an increase in car traffic.

They also questioned why the zoo decided to relocate to its new larger site in South Gloucestershire.

Nearly 10,000 petitioners and nearly 500 public objections urged Bristol City Council to refuse planning permission.

Speaking to the committee, George Ferguson, Clifton resident and former mayor, said: “I feel deeply betrayed by the management and trustees of the zoos who have conspired to dismiss viable alternatives, two of which I know have been the subject of pre-planning applications and received positive responses. Make no mistake, this is a Bristol establishment stitch up — and I should know.”

But Mr Eddy defended the Zoo Gardens scheme, which he said was an important and complex planning application affecting a key part of Clifton Down and the future of Bristol Zoological Society, which has been at the heart of the city for over 185 years.

He said: “I was saddened that little of the reporting detailed the material planning considerations which dominated councillors’ debate. But, instead, seemed to focus on the views of certain objectors to the Bristol Zoo Gardens planning application.

“I felt the outlandish and subjective comments of individuals such as George Ferguson trivialised and hijacked consideration of the key features of this ‘flagship’ scheme.

“Referring to Mr Ferguson’s description of this planning application, I believe such ripe language as “betrayal” and “conspiracy” was ill-considered and utterly without foundation in fact.

“Perhaps it says more about Mr Ferguson than the applicant of this scheme that he wildly alleged that the eventual approval was the result of a “Bristol Establishment stitch-up.

“I would prefer to return to the real planning issues which helped persuade the overwhelming majority of councillors on the Development Control ‘A’ Committee to support approval of the application.”

Mr Eddy said the scheme delivers 196 ‘sustainable, well-designed and environmentally-friendly new homes’, 20% of which will be ‘affordable housing’. He added that almost 80% of the Bristol Zoo Gardens site is communal enhanced open space in perpetuality (including a large free children’s play area) allowing access to Bristolians throughout daylight hours.

The councillor also said the redeveloped site will achieve a minimum of 36% Biodiversity Net Gain and that Tree Preservation Orders have been placed on 28 high-value trees and a group of three trees, plus 470 new trees will be planted.

He stressed that popular historic assets such as the Bear Pit, Eagle Aviary and Monkey Temple will be ‘sensitively restored and maintained, to be part of the landscape’, and the zoo’s famous entrance building will house a café and exhibition space and will become the new home for the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project.

“I am convinced that the above positive grounds for voting for this ‘flagship’ planning application is the reason the bulk of councillors serving on the Development Control ‘A’ Committee did so.

“This decision proves that Bristol is ‘open-for-business’ and puts high planning standards at the heart of growth and regeneration as the 21st Century progresses.

“It is my firm belief that the Bristol Zoo Gardens scheme will be a ‘showcase’ development for a long time to come and will allow Bristol Zoo to develop its work at ‘Wild Place’ just north of Bristol for the next 185 years, and hopefully beyond this.”