Campaigners have lost their legal challenge against plans to develop the Bristol Zoo Gardens site in Clifton for housing.
The Save Bristol Gardens Alliance said it was disappointed at the Judicial Review decision but would continue to oppose the plans for 196 “truly ugly high rise flats” and was determined to battle on to ensure that the public access to the 12-acre gardens was preserved.
Bristol Zoological Society said it was pleased at the judgement but regretted that the cost of fighting the challenge had led to cuts and redundancies.
The society exchanged sale contracts on the Clifton site with independent housebuilder Acorn Property Group but was unable to complete the deal until the court action was over.
A spokesperson for the campaigners said: ’This is of course disappointing news, but not by any means the end of the opposition to this dreadful plan.
“The proposal to destroy the former Clifton Zoo site with truly ugly high rise flats, car parking and a service road continues to be almost universally opposed. The proposed destruction of heritage trees, gardens and biodiversity would simply not be allowed if the planning application was being made today, as the rules on biodiversity net gain and emitted carbon have tightened since the application was first made.”
The campaigners fear that the promised public access to the site will be lost after a few years and the gardens will become a gated private development.
“This would be a tragic end to 200 years of beauty, heritage and history and is why our opposition will continue.
“We may have lost the day, but together we will save the Gardens.”
Save Bristol Gardens Alliance raised £23,000 via crowdfunding to apply for the Judicial Review against the zoo and Bristol City Council, challenging the lawfulness of three aspects of a planning officer’s report to councillors who granted permission in June 2024 in spite of public opposition.
The judge found in favour of the zoo and the council on all three grounds.
Bristol Zoological Society’s chief cxecutive, Dr Justin Morris, said he was pleased with the decision.
“We have always been confident in our plans for Bristol Zoo Gardens, which would see the gardens accessible for free and bring much-needed housing to Bristol.
“However, we cannot state clearly enough, the impact and financial toll of these legal challenges and campaigns. In recent years we have faced a concerted campaign by individuals who have purposefully delayed the sale of Bristol Zoo Gardens, preventing us from accessing the proceeds and harming our charity and work.
“Responding to the campaigners’ lawyers has cost our charity more than £300,000 – vital funds which could have been spent on conservation and education. As a result, this year we have had to cut costs dramatically and make roles redundant.”
He said the court battle and delays had meant some plans to develop the new Bristol Zoo Project at Cribbs Causeway had been affected.
The zoo, which had been in Clifton since 1883, shut in 2022, with most animals moving to the new site. Some, including the gorillas, remain in Clifton until new accommodation is ready.
Dr Guy said: “We took the difficult decision to close Bristol Zoo Gardens as the Clifton site does not work as a modern conservation zoo. We believe zoos need to change, which is why we want to build a new zoo at Bristol Zoo Project, which is much larger, to provide excellent animal welfare in larger natural habitats. We want to focus on conservation and the threatened animals that most need our help.”
He added: “We hope the judgment brings an end to the campaign and allows our charity to make best use of its funds. Further attempts by campaigners in Clifton to delay the sale of the old zoo will prevent any further development of Bristol Zoo Project and continue to reduce our ability to invest in conservation.”