Chester Zoo Natural Vision Plans

Wednesday 10th March 2010, NEZS meeting 'Natural Vision - Chester Zoo's Future Development'

This talk will include an outline of the plan for the new visitor and education facilities, and a preview of Heart of Africa biodome.

The opening date for Heart of Africa is now 2014.
 
bongorob said:
Wednesday 10th March 2010, NEZS meeting 'Natural Vision - Chester Zoo's Future Development'

This talk will include an outline of the plan for the new visitor and education facilities, and a preview of Heart of Africa biodome.

The opening date for Heart of Africa is now 2014.
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Can the general public attend this meeting in 2010?
because i'd love to go.
 
Very exciteing this "Heart of Africa" opening in only 2014:D. But how long will it take to build it and how much will it cost?? I'm aware that plans like this will will be disscussed in this meeting. If only I was closer I'd come.;)
 
Goretex said:
Very exciteing this "Heart of Africa" opening in only 2014:D. But how long will it take to build it and how much will it cost?? I'm aware that plans like this will will be disscussed in this meeting. If only I was closer I'd come.;)
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I understood that date was for the entire project (Natural vision) not just for HoA.
 
What else is planned for natural vision? Also am I right in thinking that it will all be being built in a new area of the zoo?:confused:

I guess 2018 is being quite optimistic. I certainly am looking foward to "Heart of Africa"!:D
 
Goretex said:
What else is planned for natural vision? Also am I right in thinking that it will all be being built in a new area of the zoo?:confused:

I guess 2018 is being quite optimistic. I certainly am looking foward to "Heart of Africa"!:D
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Yes most of the plans are on underdeveloped land that the zoo owns. There is a new giraffe enclosure to go in the east side (think thats right) of the zoo with other animal exhibits but am not sure anything has been confirmed but there is alot that has been talked about on here or in private.

2018 is not optimistic, this is probably the biggest and most time consuming part of the plans due the complex calculations needed for the structure and that takes time to do, even in this day and age of software programs like super stress (used to design structures, bridges) you still need to check that with manual calculations.
 
taun said:
Yes most of the plans are on underdeveloped land that the zoo owns. There is a new giraffe enclosure to go in the east side (think thats right) of the zoo with other animal exhibits but am not sure anything has been confirmed but there is alot that has been talked about on here or in private.

2018 is not optimistic, this is probably the biggest and most time consuming part of the plans due the complex calculations needed for the structure and that takes time to do, even in this day and age of software programs like super stress (used to design structures, bridges) you still need to check that with manual calculations.
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I'm sure this is going to take some time. But Chester Zoo is normally very good at running by times (as far as I know of). Thanks Taun for that bit of information. As has been said before the girafe area although adeequete isn't really approiate for somewhere like Chester!!
 
Goretex said:
I'm sure this is going to take some time. But Chester Zoo is normally very good at running by times (as far as I know of). Thanks Taun for that bit of information. As has been said before the girafe area although adeequete isn't really approiate for somewhere like Chester!!
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Not sure this came across right but a lot of the calculations will have been done already as it will be needed for the planning permission, so for this reason it should be only encounter probably when the contractor gets on board and looks into the design as he will want to save money and has the expertise in building so will suggest alterations to the design to save money and make building it easier and safer.

As soon as planning permission is granted (Doubt it will have too many problems due the economy and the government needing places to spend money in the construction industry). And if Chester have learnt anything from previous builds it will have got the contractor on early to try and speed up the whole process.

I wish I was working on this project.
 
taun said:
I understood that date was for the entire project (Natural vision) not just for HoA.
Click to expand...

As I understand it, "Natural Vision" is a concept for re-inventing/re-designing the entire zoo. In the US we would call it "branding." "Heart of Africa" is the first huge step, expected in 2014. The rest will take many years and lots of cash. All of the changes at the zoo that people here have commented on have "Natural Vision" at their heart. Remember there is a hotel as well as other exhibits to come

But don't worry, there is nothing like "Heart of Africa" in the UK and nothing like it is being planned as far as I've heard.
 
Zooplantman said:
As I understand it, "Natural Vision" is a concept for re-inventing/re-designing the entire zoo. In the US we would call it "branding." "Heart of Africa" is the first huge step, expected in 2014. The rest will take many years and lots of cash. All of the changes at the zoo that people here have commented on have "Natural Vision" at their heart. Remember there is a hotel as well as other exhibits to come

But don't worry, there is nothing like "Heart of Africa" in the UK and nothing like it is being planned as far as I've heard.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you've been asked this before (and I may have even asked it of you!) but what are you making of the Heart of Africa development from an 'outsiders' point of view?
 
As to the comments about structural design, the engineering input for a planning application is usually fairly "light". Most of the work will be in preparing architectural information and supporting documents, e.g. access statement, EIA, etc. Most of the engineering design will be done after planning permission is granted. The major hurdle for the application will be to convince the authorities to permit development on green belt land. 2014 sounds like a sensible target to me.
 
What I`d really like to know is if the animals in the "Heart of Africa" biodome will get outdoor enclosures? Thanks!
 
Chris79 said:
As to the comments about structural design, the engineering input for a planning application is usually fairly "light". Most of the work will be in preparing architectural information and supporting documents, e.g. access statement, EIA, etc. Most of the engineering design will be done after planning permission is granted. The major hurdle for the application will be to convince the authorities to permit development on green belt land. 2014 sounds like a sensible target to me.
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Planning officers need to be certain that the submission will work as changes to that design will need to be approved by them, which may take time if they are major changes.

I hope Chester have taken their design a little further than a few architectural drawings as I have seen first hand experience in the actual design how things have to change from the architects drawing because it cannot be built. This structure is very ambitious from the drawings I have seen. Don't get me wrong am excited to see this project go ahead but I have a few jitters about it.

Am not denying the major first hurddle is the planning permission on green belt land, but can the government afford not to let this go ahead? The construction industry has still not recovered fully from the banking crisis, I know the company I work for are feeling it and will continue to be hard pressed with what the current government have outlined and what the Mr Cameron wants to do if he gets the job. Again I ask the question can the government really reject a private contract work of this scale? In my opinion they would be stupid to reject.
 
I work in local government (though not in Cheshire).
From what I know, getting planning permission on green belt land is much easier than it's technically supposed to be.
If you're turned down by the council, you can appeal, and often you're then given the green light.
Tuan is right. In these tough times, the government, but also the local council, will want investment, growth, expansion; they'll want job creation, long-term growth in tourism etc.
I think it should be reasonably straight forward to get the planning permission.
A cynic may say that there should be no trouble after the zoo invited the council leader on a little jaunt/publicity trip to open the African aviary... but I'm not a cynic :D .
 
Tempest said:
I work in local government (though not in Cheshire).
From what I know, getting planning permission on green belt land is much easier than it's technically supposed to be.
If you're turned down by the council, you can appeal, and often you're then given the green light.
Tuan is right. In these tough times, the government, but also the local council, will want investment, growth, expansion; they'll want job creation, long-term growth in tourism etc.
I think it should be reasonably straight forward to get the planning permission.
A cynic may say that there should be no trouble after the zoo invited the council leader on a little jaunt/publicity trip to open the African aviary... but I'm not a cynic :D .
Click to expand...

I have seen alot of scheme/projects been approved for politic reasons ignoring all other factors. ;)
 
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