Work stalls on Edinburgh Zoo enclosure after planning blunder
June 7 2011
Despite requiring both planning permission and a building warrant officials neglected to proceed with either, leading to embarrassment all round.
Planning officers informed the Zoo of its mistake last week and advised an immediate halt to all further building work until planning permission is granted.
Assuming responsibility for the blunder Hugh Roberts, the Zoo’s interim chief executive, said that all necessary efforts to see building work resume.
The mix up was caused by the late addition of a walkway for visitors and inclusion of a baby bear nursery – both of which required council approval.
The 250k enclosure is set to become home to TianTian and YangGuang, a pair of breeding pandas who are expected to arrive at the zoo later in the year.
10 Comments
#1 Posted by Bonzo on 7 Jun 2011 at 15:45 PM
They should have remembered that last year's new rabbit enclosure had needed a Building Warren approval. Warren? Rabbit? Eh? Is anyone else having a quiet afternoon?
#2 Posted by richard heggie on 7 Jun 2011 at 17:19 PM
The Scotsman suggests Edinburgh Zoo was BAMBOOzled by the Planning System.......
#3 Posted by Bonzo on 7 Jun 2011 at 17:39 PM
Oh yes! The application forms have been signed by zoo executives, Mr C. Lyon and Mr G Raffe. Any more?
#4 Posted by Frank Lloyd Wright on 8 Jun 2011 at 10:46 AM
Imagine the embarrassment of the officials who let this happen - if I were them I don't think I could bear it.
They will have to get their paperwork in order quick smart, and badger the planning officials to rush the application through.
They will have to get their paperwork in order quick smart, and badger the planning officials to rush the application through.
#5 Posted by Jimbo on 8 Jun 2011 at 11:42 AM
What a cockatoo up...
#6 Posted by Bonzo on 8 Jun 2011 at 12:50 PM
Frank - embarrassment didnt come into it. When the news broke, the exec went absolutely ape
#7 Posted by richard heggie on 8 Jun 2011 at 13:43 PM
The planning application consultation process will give any serious objectors a chance to complain, in what's being described as a Pandamoanium.
#8 Posted by The Bairn on 8 Jun 2011 at 14:19 PM
Working in the architectural profession myself I for one will not be shedding any Crocodile tears.
Does this mean that the new Penguin faciility has been put on ice?
Does this mean that the new Penguin faciility has been put on ice?
#9 Posted by Frank Lloyd Wright on 8 Jun 2011 at 22:24 PM
I phoned the zoo but the lion was busy. This is really turning into a catastrophe. A big catastrophe.
When I did get through the guy was a total ass. It was a really hawkward conversation.
When I did get through the guy was a total ass. It was a really hawkward conversation.
#10 Posted by SW on 11 Jun 2011 at 12:32 PM
They otter increase the budget a bit.
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