Zoo to unveil £30m wildlife plans

The zoo is committed to helping save endangered species

Bristol Zoo unveils plans on Tuesday for a £30m wildlife conservation park.

The "eco-zoo", thought to be the first of its kind, will be sited on 136 acres of land at Easter Compton. If planning is approved, it will open in 2009.

The zoo says it will focus on a mix of species, rather than on single species in separate areas.

Concerns have been raised in Easter Compton about the impact the facility will have on the already congested junction 17 of the M5.

'Modest impact'

Director Dr Jo Gipps, said: "Conservation education lies at the heart of the venture.

"Not only will visitors be able to enjoy a great day out, encountering wildlife in naturalistic landscapes, but they will be able to learn how field conservation projects around the world help underpin vital conservation breeding programmes conducted by the zoo."

Representatives from Bristol Zoo Gardens will give a presentation of the plans at a parish council meeting at Easter Compton village hall on Tuesday evening.

Sheila Cook, South Gloucestershire councillor for Almondsbury, said: "It sounds exciting and being a world first, it's wonderful to have it in our area, but local people are concerned about impact on traffic."

Dr Gipps said: "We can't pretend that 2,000 to 3,000 extra people won't have an impact, but it will be modest.

"We hope the villagers of Easter Compton will enjoy looking out of their windows and seeing animals they haven't seen before."

Funding for the zoo will be sought from charitable individuals, grant-making trusts and corporate partners.