Developer to deliver 62 new homes on former Bristol Zoo site

A large UK housebuilder has confirmed the acquisition of a former Bristol Zoo car park from the Bristol Zoological Society.The Hill Group says it plans to deliver 55 one- and two-bed apartments and seven mews homes on the West Car Park site in the Clifton area of the city.Around 20% of the development will be for affordable housing.The brownfield site has lain dormant since Bristol Zoo Gardens closed its doors in September 2022 to facilitate a new conservation-focused zoo at the Wild Place Project in South Gloucestershire.Planning permission was granted for the development in December 2022, a decision that was subject to an unsuccessful judicial review challenge.Andy Hill, group chief executive of The Hill Group, said: “This is an important site for the city of Bristol, both in terms of redeveloping a former part of the historic zoo and providing high-quality accommodation in such an architecturally rich part of the city.“We are pleased to have completed our acquisition of the site, and now look ahead to delivering a development that reflects the heritage of Clifton while also addressing the housing needs of the local area.”The proceeds from the sale will be used by the Bristol Zoological Society to fund the first phase of construction at Wild Place Project (to be called Bristol Zoo Project).This will include the creation of a new central African forest area, with construction expected to start in 2024.Hill’s development of the former West Car Park site is situated opposite the old Bristol Zoo Gardens site and former pavilion.Thee forthcoming development will be built to high sustainability standards, The Hill Group says, incorporating energy-efficient features such as photovoltaic panels, air-source heat pumps, and green roofs.Justin Morris, chief executive at Bristol Zoological Society, said: “It is great to see the progress being made on the redevelopment of this historically important location, offering new, sustainable and affordable housing for Bristol.”Image: Projection of the new homes on the former Bristol Zoo West Car Park siteRead next: Government issues update on Grenfell site ahead of six-year anniversaryAre you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.