Judge backs plans for apartments at zoo site

A HIGH Court judge has ruled that Bristol City Council followed all correct processes when granting planning permission for almost 200 new apartments on the site of the former Bristol Zoo.

- ABIGAIL NEEP

How the new apartments on the car park at the former Bristol Zoo would look

(Barton Willmore)

The decision comes after the Save Bristol Gardens Alliance brought a judicial review against the authority claiming councillors were given incorrect information regarding the development in Clifton.

Justin Morris, chief executive of Bristol Zoological Society, said: "We have always been confident in our plans for Bristol Zoo Gardens, which will see the gardens accessible for free and bring much-needed housing to Bristol."

The charity revealed that defending the legal challenge has cost more than £300,000 in legal fees which has forced them to cut costs and make roles redundant this year.

Dr Morris added: "We cannot state clearly enough the impact and financial toll of these legal challenges and campaigns. 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.