Edinburgh zoo may become smaller

The zoo has bee told it cannot build at the top and bottom of the shaded area

Edinburgh Zoo may have to become a smaller attraction after plans to sell off land to raise money for its upkeep were knocked back.

A Scottish Government reporter has ruled against the zoo's plans to develop up to 120 homes on the edge of its site on Corstorphine Hill.

It follows the zoo's unveiling of £72m plan to upgrade its Victorian plumbing, electrics and facilities.

It is now feared it will not raise the £20m it hoped to make from the sale.

David Windmill, chief executive for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), said if they were unable to raise the money they would be forced to scale back the existing zoo.

The result is likely to be a much smaller zoo, with the cost of upgrading the entire site now seen as prohibitive David Windmill Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

He said that although the reporter stated that the top and bottom of the proposed area was not allowed to be built on, he did not make it clear how many homes would be allowed on the middle section.

He said: "The reporter's recommendations are not clear on the amount of the land that we shall be able to develop.

"We will now work closely with city planning officials to determine exactly the area of land that can be developed for housing.

"On any reading of the report however, this area of land will be substantially less than we proposed, as will the corresponding capital sum released for reinvestment in Edinburgh Zoo.

"The result is likely to be a much smaller zoo, with the cost of upgrading the entire site now seen as prohibitive.

"This could mean us bringing in the fences, so to speak, so instead of a world-class facility over 82 acres, there will be a smaller facility that is still world-class."