How to object

Comments on planning applications have to be made through Bristol Council’s web site. This is fairly straightforward and the link and instructions are below.
By clicking on the link you can study both the Zoo’s plans (‘Design and Access Statements are most useful) and the many hundreds of comments, mainly objections, that are already lodged.
You may find it useful to look at some of the existing objections from private individuals (Public Comments) and from the local amenity groups including CHIS, the CAP and Civic Society.
Click on ‘Make a comment’ at the top and you can see what information will be required. Your personal details are recorded, but not published where anyone else can see them.
It’s best to write out your comments first, get them right, and then paste them into the Make a Comment page.
Comments don’t need to be long, or legally written, and should relate to the main aspects that you personally object to.
For planners and Councillors to take your views into account when they make their decisions, any comments should relate to planning principles. Some of these follow below, but ideally don’t just copy and paste this list! See what you feel most strongly about and then write in your own words.

Harm to overall historic interest and significance of site. The fact that the Zoo has been there so long being of heritage value in itself.
Loss of Communal Value. What it means to the people of Bristol, the generations that have visited, weddings held, ashes scattered, loss of valuable green urban space.
Harm to listed buildings. There are a number of listed buildings and gates on the site. All the buildings will be turned into apartments, changed and inaccessible to the public.
Unjustified harm. As well as the public loss, this change of use and the social and material harm that results is completely unjustified.
Need for change of use not proven. It hasn’t been proven that the Zoo cannot continue as a public site, the business case isn’t clear and alternatives have not been explored.
Loss of public amenity. While a green space is planned for the site, in similar cases these have become privatised and gated off. This is a real possibility here.
Overall design. The buildings proposed are way out of scale with the surrounding buildings and do not complement the houses or college buildings nearby. They will form a huge continuous block along the road.
Loss of landscape. Almost half the trees will go and many more may be damaged. The public green space will be much smaller. It’s listed as a local Historic Park & Garden and an Important Open Space.

Click on the green button below. It will take you to the page on the Bristol City Council web site where you can comment on the Zoo’s application
Click on ‘Make a comment’. Add your personal details and paste in your comments. Remember to mark that you ‘Object’ and whether you are a ‘Neighbour’ or ‘Other’