• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Thursday February 6 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Sale contracts exchanged on the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site

Contracts have been exchanged over the sale of the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site.

Conservation and education charity Bristol Zoological Society has reached a formal agreement with independent house-builder Acorn Property Group, which wants to build 196 one- to five-bedroom houses and apartments – 20 per cent of which would be ‘affordable’ – on the site of the zoo in Clifton.

However, the charity says legal challenges by campaigners opposed to the plans are preventing it from receiving funds from the sale – slowing down the project to move endangered animals to a new conservation zoo at Bristol Zoo Project at Cribbs Causeway.

Planning consent for the former zoo gardens was granted by Bristol City Council in April 2023. The plans include the creation of a new public park, a café, playground and Conservation Hub. The proposals would see the Victorian gardens remain open – and free to visit – to the general public.

But the decision is likely to be challenged in May at a judicial review brought by the campaign group Save Bristol Gardens Alliance, which fears the developers want to create ‘ugly flats’ around a ‘gated community’ to which the general public will be denied access.

“None of the housing would be affordable for most Bristolians, and any developer can apply to remove the condition of public access after five years,” says the campaign group on its website.

“It is entirely likely that over time the Gardens will become a private gated community and the preserve of rich Bristolians. But in the process the rich biodiversity of the Gardens would be destroyed.”

Justin Morris, chief executive of Bristol Zoological Society, countered: “We are a conservation and education charity trying to save and protect the world’s most threatened species, and yet those against our plans continue to put our future conservation work in doubt.

“The move to Bristol Zoo Project has always been about our vision for what we think a zoo should be. The new zoo will allow us to improve animal welfare, in larger natural habitats, and focus our resources on animals that really need our help. The gorilla and mangabey habitat will be four and a half times larger than their home at the old site in Clifton.

“To be clear, we will not be reopening Bristol Zoo Gardens as a zoo in any capacity. In the five years since we announced its closure, not one viable alternative plan has ever been put forward to us, with the finances to back it up.

“Before taking the decision to sell the site, we took extensive expert advice. Now, we have exchanged sale contracts with an independent developer. Acorn Property Group is committed to delivering the new homes and public space in Clifton, ensuring the gardens remain open to the public free of charge, for the first time in their 186-year history.

“Of the homes to be built, 20 per cent will be affordable and the site will also offer a new public park, café and playground. The iconic zoo entrance building will also become the Clifton Conservation Hub – a public café, exhibition space, education and meeting spaces.”

Acorn Property Group said: “The regeneration of the former Bristol Zoo Gardens will bring a collection of open market and affordable homes, a public play area and open gardens, a café, and an exhibition space.

“The rejuvenation of the site will see the gardens open to the public free of charge for the first time in their 186-year history. Historic buildings and structures will be meticulously restored for future generations to enjoy.”

Pictured: How the development might look. Image courtesy of Acorn Property Group

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