Battle to protect  free public access to zoo gardens

CAMPAIGNERS are urging Clifton councillors to do more to protect the gardens at the 11.4 acre Bristol Zoo site.

They want to ensure that the public open space, bequeathed to local people in perpetuity, is safeguarded in any future development.

The site, for which planning permissions for 196 homes was granted in April 2023, was put on the market for about £40 million and Bristol Zoological Society says that now the  city council has finalised details and issued its Decision Notice, the sale is likely to go ahead this year.

The Save Bristol Gardens Alliance Ltd is considering seeking a Judicial Review of the planners’ decision. If it is to make a legal challenge, it must do so early this month.

A spokesperson said the council’s conditions for developers, which are included in what’s known as a Section 106 agreement, are inadequate and should receive public scrutiny. 

“The agreement does not deliver what was promised,” the spokesperson said. “The public access aspects of this are so important – the Victorian pleasure gardens were given to the people of Bristol in perpetuity. 

“The document contains vague statements. There is no detail behind it and no money has been set aside.”

A Bristol Zoo spokesperson said: “Bristol City Council has issued a Decision Notice, Section 106 agreement and planning conditions, which set out the planning obligations any developer of the former Bristol Zoo Gardens must meet.

“The plan includes 196 homes (20% affordable), a new public park, Conservation Hub, café and playground. This is positive news, as the planning obligations include key aspects of the design, which the Society has always been committed to. This means a future developer implementing the scheme must ensure:

• 20% of the housing on site is affordable (30 homes for social rent and 10 for first time buyers).

• Free public access to the gardens is maintained 365 days of the year between 8am and 5pm or 7pm, depending on the time of year.

• The iconic entrance building is re-purposed to become a Conservation Hub, opened to the public with community rooms and a café.

“The site was publicly put on the market in 2023 and we have been pleased with the response. We’ll continue to progress the sale of the site this year, while focusing on the Society’s mission – Saving Wildlife Together – by creating a conservation led zoo at Bristol Zoo Project.”

The campaigners are concerned that the plan includes removal of many trees. Asked about this, the Zoo said: “To protect the most important trees on site like the monkey puzzle tree, the Society has put in place 29 tree protection orders. And the design of the buildings has been carefully planned to protect tree roots. 

“In total, there are 218 existing trees on site (excluding groups of tree shrubs / understorey trees) of which we are proposing to remove 80 trees. Most of the trees to be removed are of a low quality and have been assessed as Category U or C. None of the trees planned for removal have been assessed as Category A. Of those being removed, 44 trees will be translocated, and 470 new trees will be planted, which far exceeds Bristol Tree Replacement Standard.”

Ward councillors Paula O’Rourke and Jerome Thomas told residents about the agreement via their regular newsletter. They said:  “Prior to the application being submitted we argued hard for the Zoo Trustees to apply for a ‘right of way’ through the garden but we could not persuade the Director to do that. However, we believe that the s106 gives security to the public that the gardens will be kept open for the hours listed, as this can only be changed by going back to the planners and opening a public consultation – so nothing can be done ‘behind closed doors’.”

In their column for the Voice this month, they said: “Like many, we are sad to see the Zoo gone, but we cannot continue to hope that it will return and must accept that there will be homes on the garden site. 

“On the positive side, the gardens, which were previously only accessible for those paying to go to the Zoo, will now be open to the public.”