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The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no 4458492.) Registered office: 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW
Zoo parking on the Downs in Bristol
Update 20 March 2010
Susan Carter co-ordinated opposition by a number of amenity groups to the Zoo's application to park up to 660 cars on the Downs for 60 days a year for a further five years. The campaign was well covered by local Press and radio. The campaign was unfortunately unsuccessful: councillors agreed to give permission for a further three years, the most the Zoo could realistically have expected. Susan is now working to make sure that the 3 years does not extend to four, as the period will not start until an agreement with detailed conditions is signed.
Background
The Zoo has been using one of the best parts of the grassland of the Downs as a car park ‘temporarily’ since 1969. This is contrary to the planning policies meant to protect the Downs as a place for the people of Bristol and surrounding areas to enjoy. Successive planning committees have made it clear that permanent use as a car park would be unacceptable but have granted a series of temporary permissions. These have allowed the Zoo to park up to 660 cars on the grass for 60 days in recent years. In October 2008 the Planning Committee decided unanimously that this use must end. It gave the Zoo a year to 'sort itself out' ( as the Committee chair put it) and make alternative arrangements for its visitors. The Zoo has not done so and has instead applied for permission for a further five years.
The Ramblers have objected to continued parking because:
Susan Carter co-ordinated opposition by a number of amenity groups to the Zoo's application to park up to 660 cars on the Downs for 60 days a year for a further five years. The campaign was well covered by local Press and radio. The campaign was unfortunately unsuccessful: councillors agreed to give permission for a further three years, the most the Zoo could realistically have expected. Susan is now working to make sure that the 3 years does not extend to four, as the period will not start until an agreement with detailed conditions is signed.
Background
The Zoo has been using one of the best parts of the grassland of the Downs as a car park ‘temporarily’ since 1969. This is contrary to the planning policies meant to protect the Downs as a place for the people of Bristol and surrounding areas to enjoy. Successive planning committees have made it clear that permanent use as a car park would be unacceptable but have granted a series of temporary permissions. These have allowed the Zoo to park up to 660 cars on the grass for 60 days in recent years. In October 2008 the Planning Committee decided unanimously that this use must end. It gave the Zoo a year to 'sort itself out' ( as the Committee chair put it) and make alternative arrangements for its visitors. The Zoo has not done so and has instead applied for permission for a further five years.
The Ramblers have objected to continued parking because:
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it is bad for the people of Bristol. It prevents them from enjoying one of the finest parts of the Downs on sixty of the best days of the year.
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it is bad for Zoo visitors. The site is physically unsuitable for families and the less mobile, with no provision for the disabled; it is subject to unexpected closure; access is often congested; the site is full to capacity at peak times; and the availability of cheap parking encourages overcrowding at the Zoo.
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it is bad for wildlife. The grassland has been damaged and will recover only if parking ends.
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This is the fifth planning application to which the Ramblers and other amenity organisations have objected since 1998. Other organisations that are objecting this time include the Bristol Civic Society, Bristol Downswatch, Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society, Open Spaces Society and St John's Residents' Association.
More information
If you would like to know more, contact our Environment and Planning Officer, Susan Carter
(susan.carter@blueyonder.co.uk). Click on the links below for more information.
Ramblers Press Release and Response to Planning Application 09/05111/T