CAMPAIGNERS have stepped up their battle to save Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton.
Save Bristol Gardens Alliance and Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society circulated an open letter to the trustees of Bristol Zoological Society.
They said it was a “last chance to save one of Bristol’s finest heritage sites from the bulldozer’.
The letter said: “The people of Bristol have nurtured and supported the Bristol Zoo Gardens for almost 200 years. We remain implacably opposed to the destruction of our heritage.”
Councillors were told the proposed development on the site would deliver ‘affordable’ housing and retain a free public space in perpetuity, but they were likely to be disappointed, the campaigners said.
They are calling for the zoo’s trustees to end discussions with Acorn Property Company immediately, claiming the firm is not a suitable developer for the site.
The campaigners began the first of a series of weekly demonstrations outside Acorn’s offices on March 11.
Bristol Zoo in Clifton, which had opened in 1836 and was the world’s oldest provincial zoo, closed in 2022, with most animals transferred to a bigger site near Cribbs Causeway. The gorillas remained, but were moved earlier this year, ahead of the opening of the zoo’s African Forest on April 1.
BZS announced early last year that it had exchanged contracts with Acorn for the 12-acre site, which was granted planning permission three years ago for the creation of 196 homes, a park, cafe, playground and conservation hub.
Progress was held up by a Judicial Review brought by the campaigners, which was dismissed in December.
Save Bristol Gardens Alliance told the Voice in a statement: “Acorn Property Group is a wholly unsuitable developer for the Zoo Gardens site, and it seems clear that BZS Trustees have failed to complete independent due diligence on Acorn.
“Our concerns relate directly to the reputation, financial resilience, track record, and funding model of Acorn, as well as to the likelihood of Acorn not delivering on its agreement with BZS, the development itself or indeed any of the so-called ‘public benefits’
“We urge the BZS Board to address the concerns we have raised fully and transparently before any contractual commitment is completed. Otherwise BZS risks making a reckless decision, which could be catastrophic for trustee reputations, BZS’s reputation and of course for a treasured part of Bristol’s heritage.”
Justin Morris, chief executive of Bristol Zoological Society, told the Voice: “The plan for the old zoo site, which Acorn Property Group will deliver, includes making the old zoo accessible for free for the first time in its history, the creation of a new café, playground, and 196 homes (20% affordable). The iconic zoo entrance building will be turned into a new Clifton Conservation Hub.
“Despite accusations to the contrary, Acorn is 100% committed to the delivery of this scheme in accordance with the planning permission, including public access and affordable housing. Acorn is already in detailed dialogue with the proposed housing association partner in relation to the social housing to ensure the proposed scheme meets their needs.
“This is another example of campaigners who don’t want new housing in Clifton, taking steps to purposefully delay the sale of Bristol Zoo Gardens. Despite a planning consent that will see the gardens being opened for free to the public for the first time and the opportunity for a new zoo at Bristol Zoo Project focused on animal welfare and conservation, they continue to prevent Bristol Zoological Society from accessing the proceeds from the sale, harming our charity and work. As previously reported, responding to campaigner’s lawyers and claims has already cost the charity £300,000 in fees, which could have been spent on education and conservation, and this campaign is another example of this.”
A spokesperson for Acorn Property Group said: “We are fully committed to successfully delivering this prestigious scheme on this historic site, including creating a new community space, opening the gardens for free public access, and providing a mix of affordable and open-market homes.
“Bristol City Council granted planning permission for the development, and the judicial review ruled in favour of the development last December.
“Acorn Property Group has a strong track record of delivering award-winning and complex projects in and around Bristol. We have always had an open door when it comes to engaging with the community on this scheme – we have met with local councillors in the last few weeks and are due to meet with the Save Bristol Gardens Alliance in the next week.
“We are therefore really disappointed with the decision to demonstrate outside our offices. We will always welcome open dialogue, but this has to be in a constructive forum.”