Bristol Zoo appoint architects to develop Clifton site
The site, which has been home to the zoo since 1836, will close next year
Last updated 24th Jun 2021
Bosses at Bristol Zoo have appointed an architectural firm to help redevelop their Clifton site.
Last year it was announced the land where the main zoo is currently based, will be sold off for housing.
The zoo itself, which has been based in Clifton since the early 19th Century, will then move to its sister site Wild Place near Cribbs Causeway. It's all being done to help sustain the Bristol Zoological Society which has been struggling financially for several years.
It's been revealed Penoyre & Prasad architects will work on the development of the Clifton site alongside LUC landscape architects and heritage and conservation specialists Alan Baxter.
"Penoyre & Prasad have won over a hundred architectural awards, including RIBA National Awards, and are known for prestigious, forward-thinking projects in sensitive locations; recent examples include Wolfson College Oxford, and Bath Quays South," a statement on Bristol Zoo's website reads.
"Penoyre & Prasad are particularly renowned for their environment-first philosophy and are a natural partner given the importance that Bristol Zoological Society is placing on ecology, biodiversity and sustainable development of the Bristol Zoo Gardens site."
Other specialists have also been appointed, including the Wotton Tree Consultancy, construction engineers Price & Myers, sustainability and building services consultancy Max Fordham, and law firm DAC Beachcroft.
Experts from Savills Bristol have been appointed to support the proposals through the planning and marketing of the site.
Francesca Fryer, Director of Transformation at Bristol Zoological Society, said: “It’s an exciting time for us, we have a clear direction and are pleased to have appointed a strong design team who can help us realise our ambitious plans in the best possible way.
“We are looking forward to listening to all our stakeholders, including residents, and will involve them in shaping our plans.
"We will then share more detailed plans for the Clifton site for consultation later this year as well as updates on our exciting vision for the new Bristol Zoo at the Wild Place Project site.”
She added: “We realise the significance and importance of the Bristol Zoo Gardens site, which is why we are leading the planning process ourselves, and we want to ensure that we create an exemplar for environmentally and socially sustainable development that Bristol can be proud of and showcase to other cities across the UK.”
Bosses at Bristol Zoo have previously said good quality, eco-friendly, low-carbon homes built largely in areas where there are already buildings, will be fundamental to the development.
They say the green space at the heart of the site will be enhanced to encourage better biodiversity.
A period of public consultation will begin over the summer when Bristol Zoological Society will be meeting with, and listening to feedback from, a range of interested groups including near neighbours and Clifton residents.
Sunand Prasad, Founder and Principal of Penoyre & Prasad, commented: “We are excited and proud to have been selected to develop a scheme for the future redevelopment of the Bristol Zoo Gardens site.
“Home of the fifth oldest zoo in the world, it is a site with deep meaning and so many shared memories for Bristolians.
"It is a privilege to have the opportunity to help shape its future with an exemplary design based on the indivisibility of humans and the natural world.”
Bristol Zoological Society’s Chief Executive, Dr Justin Morris, said: “We have openly spoken about our plans for Bristol Zoological Society and our intention to sell the Clifton site with planning consent for a sensitive residential-led scheme.
“We have received a range of proposals for the site from interested parties.
"We remain committed to our exciting new strategy and our thoroughly-considered plans which have come about following an extensive strategic review last year.
"However, the appointment of the design team for the Bristol Zoo Gardens site represents the beginning of a conversation to ensure that the future redevelopment of the site is the best it can possibly be for Bristol.”
Bristol Zoo Gardens, in Clifton, will close to the public in late 2022 and Wild Place Project will remain open throughout, until it becomes the new Bristol Zoo in 2024.