Bristol Zoo bosses expect sale of Clifton site by year end
The update comes as work begins to build a new habitat at Bristol Zoo Project
The boss of the Bristol Zoological Society which owns the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site in Clifton, says he hopes the land will be sold to a housing developer by the end of the year.
The site, which housed a zoo for 186 years, has sat largely empty since its closure in 2022. The Society first announced its plans in 2020 as a means to secure its future and fund the expansion of a new Bristol zoo, now known as Bristol Zoo Project (BZP), near the M5 in South Gloucestershire.
Speaking to us as work begins to expand BZP, Society chief executive Dr Justin Morris said things are progressing well.
"We went to open market last year, in the autumn," he said.
"We were really pleased with the response that we got and so we've been working through a process to identify a preferred bidder...and so we've been negotiating with them on the sale contract for the site and we're in the process of doing that at the moment.
"We're hopeful and expecting to be at a point this year where we'll be able to exchange contracts and sell the site.
"That will be a major milestone in the journey that we're on."
Plans to build around 200 homes on the Bristol Zoo Gardens site were approved by Bristol City Council in April last year, despite vocal opposition.
According to the plans 20 per cent of those homes will be classed as "affordable", while much of the gardens will remain open to the public.
The approval came despite a petition calling for the plans to be refused, gaining nearly 10,000 signatures.
A new home for gorillas
One of the main attractions at Bristol Zoo Gardens was a troop of critically endangered western lowland gorillas and the plan has always been to move them to BZP.
However, since 2022 the gorillas have remained at the Gardens, away from public view, because a home for them at BZP has not yet been built.
Now though, work on that has finally begun.
Dr Morris said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for us and a significant milestone in our vision to create a modern conservation zoo at Bristol Zoo Project.
"Central African Forest will see us create a new environment that will not only give our animals the opportunity to live in spaces more closely reflecting their natural habitats, it will also help to raise vital awareness of the threats these precious species are facing around the world."
In contrast to at the Gardens where the gorillas have always lived alone, once moved to BZP they will be joined by endangered cherry-crowned mangabeys.
“Currently, 78% of the animals we care for are both threatened, and part of targeted conservation programmes," Dr Morris said.
"Our aim is for this to rise to 90% of species by 2035."
It is hoped the Central African Forest will be completed by summer next year, with further projects to follow once the sale of the Gardens site has been agreed.
"Following the completion of CAF, we will also be creating a new Central African Savannah habitat, new visitor facilities and a Conservation Campus for students studying to become conservationists," Dr Morris said.
"This work will be delivered in phases over the next few years."
Next month, the zoo will open its new conservation-themed adventure play area, Explorers Basecamp, offering multi-level adventure for all ages, needs and abilities.
A competition is currently running on the zoo’s website until Sunday 13 July, for children wanting to apply to be play testers, and among the first to try out the new playground.