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UK's largest zoo extension
opens
THE UK's largest zoo extension has
opened to the public at Chester Zoo. This marks a significant day for Barton Willmore, the UK's largest independent, integrated planning and design
consultancy, which were instrumental to the 'Islands' scheme by advising
on the planning permission, adding the first Zoo project if its kind to their
repertoire.
Phase 1 of Chester Zoo's £40 million 'Islands' scheme launched on
13 July
2015 and is expected to welcome 150,000 visitors in its 1st year.
Islands features 5 different habitats linked with a series of bridges and a
'Lazy River' boat trip for visitors to explore. Islands hosts habitats and animals
from Panay, Papua, Bali, Sumatra, Sumba and Sulawesi, with the project being one
of the most ambitious zoo developments in Europe, spanning over 50,000 square
metres.
Designed by Berlin based architects Dan Pearlman and expertly project managed by
Turner and Townsend, Phase 2 of Islands will house 'Monsoon Forest', the largest
indoor zoo exhibit in the UK, which will be home to Sumatran orangutans,
Sulawesi macaques and Sunda Gharial, a type of crocodile.
Collectively, the design and planning team has delivered Islands as part of the
Zoo's wider vision to retain its position as the UK's number 1 zoo.
After running a stakeholder and community engagement programme, Barton Willmore's team first submitted a planning application to Cheshire West and
Chester Council in 2009. Outline planning permission was granted in 2010 and the
Islands scheme received full planning permission in 2012.
Dan Mitchell, Partner at Barton Willmore's Manchester-based team, which led the
application, said:- "Our team has worked with Chester Zoo for 8 years. The
Zoo is one of the biggest visitor attractions in the UK, and the Islands scheme
is a major piece of its 'Natural Vision' strategy this has been a unique,
challenging and rewarding project to have supported. Chester Zoo is
immensely important to the region. Our team was able to draw upon both their
local knowledge and their experience planning internationally significant
projects and we are delighted to see its development." |
