Chester Zoo Natural Vision Plans

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.

I think the current Giraffe exhibit is in the east zoo. Are you saying there will be one built in the west zoo by the paddocks. If so I think it will be a great decision as they can create a savanna area as there is lots of african stock around that area.
 
I think the current Giraffe exhibit is in the east zoo. Are you saying there will be one built in the west zoo by the paddocks. If so I think it will be a great decision as they can create a savanna area as there is lots of african stock around that area.

Yes, and thats the idea ;)

I get the two side mixed up all the time, the new exhibit will be built on the side where the rhinos are present.

However as Zoogiraffe will remind us all that these are only plans they may still change!
 
The Heart of Africa (phase 1 of Natural Vision) planning application was submitted today: Chester Zoo - Natural Vision Planning Application

This includes:

The ‘Heart of Africa’ biodome
New ‘Welcome and Orientation’ Zone
Enhanced car parking
Greater coach parking and green transport links and facilities
New access to the site from the A41
A landscape strategy providing wildlife areas integrated into the car park

There are a number of PDFs people may not have seen at the above URL, detailing further phases of the plans. They have more detailed drawings of how and what will be changed during the first phase, including the entrance development, layout of Heart of Africa and the Cheshire Experience.
 
The Heart of Africa (phase 1 of Natural Vision) planning application was submitted today: Chester Zoo - Natural Vision Planning Application

This includes:

The ‘Heart of Africa’ biodome
New ‘Welcome and Orientation’ Zone
Enhanced car parking
Greater coach parking and green transport links and facilities
New access to the site from the A41
A landscape strategy providing wildlife areas integrated into the car park

There are a number of PDFs people may not have seen at the above URL, detailing further phases of the plans. They have more detailed drawings of how and what will be changed during the first phase, including the entrance development, layout of Heart of Africa and the Cheshire Experience.

looking at the HOA biodome plans will the offshow enclosures be underground or is that just simply the way the plan has been drawn so that you can see each stage? Also does anybody know what the enclosures will be like?
 
looking at the HOA biodome plans will the offshow enclosures be underground or is that just simply the way the plan has been drawn so that you can see each stage? Also does anybody know what the enclosures will be like?

Yes, the plan seems to show skylight above the holding areas which would imply they are "buried" yet still getting some natural lighting
 
Details showing up on UKplanning.com now:

Case File

This file is an 82-page document on the plans:

http://www.ukplanning.com/chester/d...LUME6&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=1

It includes the summary:

Chester Zoo Planning Statement said:
A maximum Gross External Area (GEA) of 57,750sqm of
immersive animal exhibit buildings. to include Heart of
Africa exhibits, Savannah Trail Building, Education Building,
Sea Lion and Penguin Exhibits, Aviary and Cheshire
Experience Farmyard Barns, and extensions to existing
retained buildings
 
Thanks for the links, I would love to get my hands on a detailed drawing regarding the HoA dome. Interested to know how they are going to support such a huge structure and hide the obvious supports?

All that stuff will need to be submitted - I rather get the impression that this isn't the full set of planning documents yet - it just seems to be the access stuff mainly. It may just be that the planning department is still scanning them all! :D
 
I've been trying to search for this application but couldn't work out where to find it, many thanks for posting it on here.

My pleasure! :)
 
All that stuff will need to be submitted - I rather get the impression that this isn't the full set of planning documents yet - it just seems to be the access stuff mainly. It may just be that the planning department is still scanning them all! :D

I would hate to be doing that, surely they could just use Cutepdf? Anyhow I will read and digest and keep a look out for the detailed drawings. :D
 
LOADS more plans on the above link now, including detailed plans of:

Chimp area
Gorilla area
Okapi/Duiker area
(Pygmy) Hippo/Mandrill area
Red River Hog/Colobus/Bongo area


Interestingly, when you look in the files the Gorilla area is labelled as 'Gorilla and Diana/Colobus'. And I'm very pleased to see both an open and a mesh-covered indoor exhibit for both chimps and gorillas.

EDIT: Just realised that this thread is stacked full of links, so for the avoidance of confusion, the files are here: http://www.ukplanning.com/chester/s...ppType=planning folder&appNumber=09/12057/FUL
 
Sorry for the double-post, but just spotted something very pleasing - right in the centre of Heart of Africa, and exhibit labelled 'Slender-snouted Crocodile'.
 
colchester have these at present, i think they could possibly move to chester as a new development is planned in their area...
 
I'd be surprised if Chester have thought of particular animals as yet; but crocs are long-lived so who knows!

The Slender-snouteds are always one of my favourites at Colchester.
 
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