Colchester Zoo submits planning application for new lion habitat

The attraction, in Maldon Road, has put in a planning application to Colchester Council to build a new lion habitat.

In July, the zoo announced its grand ambition for the installation which was still in the “pre-application phase”.

The enclosure, which would be next to the Edge of Africa attraction, is a bid to create a “holistic African adventure”, and part of the zoo’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

It would feature a nature-inspired habitat, with planting areas for scrubland, mature tree cover, rocky outcrops, dens, and bodies of water to “help encourage the animals’ natural behaviours”.

Location - Colchester Zoo (Image: Colchester Zoo) There will be a new lion house, outdoor habitat and indoor viewing area, alongside an immersive “African Boma Village” with a cafe and play area.

Colchester Zoo has just one male African lion - 17-year-old Bailey.

The new lion habitat was going to be on undeveloped land close to the river, but following advice from Colchester Council, it was decided to put it on a previously developed site.

The current Lion Rock area will be refurbished and turned into a home for the gelada baboons.

Colchester Zoo - an outside area (Image: Newsquest) Their current Gelada Plateau area will be changed into an aviary for the Rüppell’s griffon vultures, offering a “brand-new visitor experience”.

The new café will provide seating for more than 40 people, with more outside seating during the summer months.

Majestic - Bailey the lion (Image: Jamie Reeve) The planning application says: “The lion house will be concrete panels, with boulders as cladding to the ground floor, timber battens to the first floor and a sloping thatch roof to provide a natural appearance that blends into the tree-lined setting.

“All exposed timber structure of the viewing canopies, toilets and café will be round softwood poles, larch cladding and energy efficient glazing to reduce overheating.”

Rendering - a concept image of the proposed habitat's lion roof terrace (Image: Colchester Zoo) Melissa Dench, business development manager at Colchester Zoo, said: “We’re very pleased that our application for a new lion habitat has been validated. 

“It’s great that we have been able to submit the application ahead of the charity, Colchester Zoological Society, taking the reins from January 1, 2025. 

“If permission is granted, this will be the first major development for the charity and the next step towards bringing the master plan vision into reality.” 

Landscape architect Jonathan McLoughlin, director at Dearadh Zu said, “We are delighted to reach this validation milestone for the African Lion development at Colchester Zoo.

"This is such an important development for Colchester Zoo and the Charity.

"Over the coming months, we will work closely with the local planning authority and wider design team to bring this development one step closer to becoming a reality”.