Chester Zoo’s eco approach ‘must begin at home’

Jan 28 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

CONCERNS have arisen over Chester Zoo’s plans for a 150-bed hotel in Cheshire’s green belt in association with its ‘Heart of Africa’ Bio-dome.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England praises the zoo’s valuable conservation work and says it may be able to argue ‘very special circumstances’ for a dome which will house gorillas, red river hogs, pygmy hippos plus free flying birds.

But the CPRE Cheshire branch believes plans for one, or possibly two hotels, plus a garden centre would be ‘inappropriate’ development in the green belt.

Chairman Peter Raynes would prefer the zoo to achieve its objective of encouraging visitors to stay for two consecutive days by offering ticket discounts rather than building an on-site hotel.

“It would be better for the local economy and community that existing hotels should be filled because of this exciting new development than new capacity created in open countryside.

“This would have the added economic benefit of bringing visitors into Chester city centre.”

Simon Mann, development director at Chester Zoo, said: “The hotel will have a wildlife theme and so will be very different to and compliment the rest of the local and regional accommodation offer.

“The inclusion of a ‘green hotel’ is an integral part of the economic benefit we will generate and it will be a major provider of new jobs for the region.

“There is a range of other exciting projects planned for Chester and the surrounding area, which will also create a further demand for overnight accommodation and conferencing in Chester and Cheshire – and therefore spread the benefits locally and regionally.”