Plans to build almost 200 homes on the former Bristol Zoo site have been approved by councillors.
Many people objected to the plans to build the homes at Bristol Zoo, which closed last year. But Bristol City Council members approved the proposed scheme yesterday (April 26). Critics opposing the scheme cited the loss of many trees and biodiversity, the impact on the architectural heritage of the Victorian buildings, and an increase in car traffic.
The development will see 196 new homes built on the 12 acre Clifton site. The developers promised that 20% of these homes will be converted into affordable housing.
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The Grade-II entrance lodge will be redeveloped into a café and exhibition space. A separate planning application for 62 homes on the zoo’s west car park was approved in November last year.
Bristol Zoological Society is looking to use money raised from the development to help fund the expansion of its 136-acre conservation site, Wild Place Project, on the edge of the city.
The new homes will be built at the southern end of the zoo site and of those, 37 would be houses and 159 will be flats in apartment blocks. Of the 196, 40 will be designed as "affordable housing", including 30 let at social rent to people on the housing waiting list, and 10 which will be offered to first-time buyers at £250,000.
There has been a huge amount of controversary surrounding the plans, with many members of the public protesting against the development.
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