ACTOR Stephen Tompkinson gave his backing to Chester Zoo’s exciting £225m project to become to largest animal attraction in Europe.
The Wild at Heart presenter took a break from filming his ITV show African Balloon Adventure to take a closer look at the 110-acre zoo and its plans to create a conservation bio-dome.
Stephen Tomkinson has provided the voiceover on the promotional video for the zoo’s project, which has now been given the working title of Natural Vision.
The huge expansion and redevelopment plans will include a unique attraction designed to wow visitors as gorillas, as well as many other iconic species, will have the freedom to move around a specially created rainforest sanctuary.
After meeting zoo staff and taking in a tour of Chester Zoo, Stephen Tomkinson said: “We particularly enjoyed seeing behind the scenes in the orangutan enclosure and the baby black rhino. Feeding the lemurs and the penguins was a real highlight.
“I am delighted to be associated with Chester Zoo and the important wildlife conservation work they contribute to all around the world.”
The zoo is now ready to give the public a first detailed look at their ambitious plans and will be holding four drop-in sessions this month to canvas opinion.
The public forums will give local residents the chance to ask questions and provide feedback before the zoo formally submits the first phase of its plans to Cheshire West and Chester Council this autumn.
Simon Mann, Chester Zoo development director, said: “We want to work as a part of the wider community and so we would like to share our exciting plans with the people of Chester, Cheshire and beyond and hear their views.
“These forums are an opportunity for us to explain the project in more detail and to unveil some new imagery. We will be sending out newsletters to people in our immediate area and beyond, to update them on our activities and invite them to join-in our consultation exercise.”
The sessions will held on: July 17 (4-8pm) and 18 (9am-noon) at the zoo’s Cedar House, Caughall Road, Upton; July 24 (2-6pm) at Chester’s Mark’s and Spencer and July 25 (9.30am-1pm) at Cheshire Oaks Food Court.
As well as the bio-dome facility, plans also include a hotel and revamped front entrance which will provide a boost to the local economy.
The entire project is planned to be completed by 2018.
For details on the open forums visit www.chesterzoo.org
