Contents Paignton Savannah! Mixed Species Exhibit Design and Access Statement April 2016 Introduction Original Proposal Preface 02 Layout 12 Brief 03 Expanded Brief Context Initial Layout 13 Site Plan 04 Updated Proposal 14 Site Overview and Photos 05 Existing Site Photos 06 Circulation Existing Buildings 07 Legibility 16 Vehicle Access 17 Analysis Existing Routes 08 Buildings and Landscaping Scattered Exhibits 09 Structures 18 Constraints & Challenges 10 Planting 19 Opportunities 11 Visitor Experience Village 20 Play and Exploring 21

Masterplan Exhibit and Species 22 Theming 23

Theming Materials 24 Indigenous Art 25 Savannah Landscape 26

Route Event Meerkat Exhibit 27 Savannah Themed Viewing 28 Giraffe Feeding Walkway & Sheltered Viewing 29

Visual Impact Off-show Buildings 30 Village & Education Space 31

Accessibility Inclusive Access 32

Construction Phasing 33 Introduction: Preface

This document should be read in conjunction with the architectural drawings and other reports produced by the relevant design team members in support of the application, including:

Flood Risk Assessment Archaeological Statement Ecological Statement Arboricultural Impact Assessment Tree Survey Tree Protection Plan Proposed Planting Plan

This document supports the application of detailed planning permission for the alteration and combination of several existing animal exhibits in Paignton Zoo into a mixed species exhibit.

The purpose of this document is to assist Torbay Council and other interested parties in understanding and appraising the design. It outlines the design aspirations for a new mixed species exhibit which will create an immersive and educational experience for visitors whilst responding to the individual needs of the animals, the constraints of the site and the objectives of relevant planning policy.

It aims to describe the scheme’s design principles and provides insight into its layout, appearance, accessibility and underlying themes.

2 Kay Elliott Introduction: Brief

The overarching requirement of the brief is to are in the Matopos Hills will be delivered through a combination of combine and alter a number of existing exhibits signage, presentations and social media, etc.: within the zoo into a mixed species exhibit • Matabeleland, in which the Matobos are themed on the African Savannah. The aim is situated, has a beautiful indigenous style of • ‘Why Matters’ to create the impression of a single integrated African art – Ndebele – that will provide an o Interconnectivity between species (e.g. area, displaying exclusively African animals and attractive theme to visitor areas of the new exhibit food chains at a very simple level) with a landscape planted and themed to match. o For the local economy (tourism and trade) Boundaries between animals and the public will The theming of the exhibit will be based heavily o Provision of resources such as be designed in such a way as to appear visually around Ndebele. Ndebele art uses primary building materials, medicines, food unobtrusive in order to amplify the immersive colours – red and dark red, yellow to gold, o Local cultural/spiritual beliefs experience enjoyed by visitors to the zoo a sky blue, green, and sometimes pink. o Value of plants/local knowledge With the overall message that humans The major theme of the exhibit will be: Living with The patterns are one of the most important should learn to live alongside wildlife; Wildlife. The intention is to demonstrate how, with aspects in Ndebele communication through the benefits are mutual and strong. due care, planning and consideration, it is possible painting. The patterns are geometric and are for human beings to co-exist with wildlife and to usually repeated throughout their design with only • ‘Conservation Advocacy’ use a specific exemplar from the African continent a very slight variation and different colour choice. o The greatest threat to rhinos, and many other to illustrate it. The exemplar to be used will be animals and plants, is the illegal wildlife trade the Matopos Hills in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe. Cave paintings and unusual rock formations o Rhino horn does not have any more feature in the Matopos Hills and these will medicinal properties than human hair The reasons for this are: also be included in the theming of the exhibit. o The only surviving rhinos in western • The Whitley Trust The use of earth colours, such as yellow Zimbabwe are in the Matopos Hills (Paignton Zoo’s parent charity) supports the ochre, red ochre, terracotta, burnt umber and o Conservation works: The white rhino was once Dambari Wildlife Trust which is based in Bulawayo, natural greens, will feature throughout. the rarest large mammal on the planet, but it is Zimbabwe, and carries out conservation now the only rhino that is not Critically Endangered and education work in the Matopos Hills It is proposed that a wide variety of African animals, mostly mammals and birds, will • ‘About WWCT & PZ’: • The Matopos (or Matobo) Hills, a recognised be exhibited, some of which will be new o Paignton Zoo is part of the WWCT world heritage site and a National Park, has to Paignton Zoo’s collection. However, the o WWCT supports Dambari Wildlife Trust some of the most extraordinary rock landscapes key animals will be: elephant, black rhino, o WWCT has in situ projects both in the world, which could provide an apposite white rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe, Hartmann’s in the UK and overseas and striking background to the exhibit mountain zebra, aardvark and vulture. o Paignton Zoo breeds black rhino for conservation purposes • The last surviving populations of The following messages will provide the impetus white and black rhinoceroses in western for visitor engagement within the exhibit which “To create a ‘Panorama of African animals’ that offers our visitors opportunities to look out over an aesthetically pleasing scene of animals uncluttered by traditional fences”

Paignton Zoo: Savannah! Exhibit 3 Context: Site plan

4 Kay Elliott Context: Site overview and photos

Paignton Zoo: Savannah! Exhibit 5 Context: Existing site photos

6 Kay Elliott Context: Existing Buildings

Paignton Zoo: Savannah! Exhibit 7 Analysis: Existing routes

Routes through the zoo are used both for pedestrian and vehicular access. Many of the existing pathways are long linear routes that aid in orientation but do little to create a sense of immersion or discovery. Exhibits are viewed concurrently with others and from a distance along long pathways. A number of routes run in parallel between animal exhibits without a clear primary route, meaning many visitors either bypass an exhibit or circle back along routes already taken.

Fences and barriers along these routes are a mixture of high and low fences, double fence lines and ditches. Sections of some of the primary pathways are steeply sloping, due to the rolling topography.

Right and above: A number of the existing pathways run in long linear routes in parallel between animal exhibits

8 Kay Elliott Analysis: Scattered Exhibits

The exhibits in this area of the zoo are primarily segregated with few animals sharing a common paddock. Large mammals are primarily African, with the some key exceptions being the European badger, takin, tapir, capybara and peccary. Opportunities exist for some of the paddocks to be joined creating a larger exhibit which would allow visitors to enjoy a more immersive and connected experience.

Left and above: Exhibits are primarily segregated with few animals sharing a common paddock

Paignton Zoo: Savannah! Exhibit 9 Analysis: Constraints & Challenges

The site is bounded on the south by wooded hillside, the east and northeast by housing and on hill the west and northwest by adjoining areas of the ACCESS FROM MAINTENANCE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON VIEWS zoo. There are a number of challenges presented FROM ADJACENT PROPERTIES by the nature and setting of the site. Back gardens AREAS of the adjoining properties typically abut the site Hedge boundary, with a double fence separating those properties from the adjacent animal paddocks. Any development against these edges will need to be sensitively considered in the context of ADJACENT ROOFTOPS views from these properties. A further challenge VISIBLE FROM MUCH OF SITE thrown up by the proximity of these properties is Hedge that the sense of immersion is diminished by the housing buildings’ visibility between the foliage along the Education Centre Elevated Walkway Hedges boundary. Views of the sea to the east, although Amphibian Ark pleasant, will also reduce this sense of immersion. Monkey STEEPLY SLOPING TERRAIN NOT The rolling terrain is challenging both in terms Heights IDEAL FOR INCLUSIVE PUBLIC ACCESS of inclusive access for disabled visitors and in OR ANIMAL HOLDING YARDS meeting animal husbandry requirements for level EXISTING MAIN ACCESS containment yards. A number of the existing Rhino buildings are located towards the centre of fence the site area and will need relocating in order to allow for a visually uninterrupted exhibit. zebra stables Nocturnal House DIFFICULT TO CONCEAL SEA VIEW PLEASANT BUT ‘OFF-SHOW’ BUILDINGS DUE The rolling terrain is challenging REDUCES SENSE OF IMMERSION TO BOWL-SHAPED TERRAIN both in terms of inclusive access boulder barrier boulder barrier and meeting animal husbandry EXISTING ACCESS badger sets boulder ADJACENT ROOFTOPS barrier requirements cli Gazebo VISIBLE FROM TOP OF SITE UNATTRACTIVE BUILDING

The site and surrounding area contains numerous EVENING housing trees and a variety of other foliage. Some of the cli House POTENTIAL IMPACT ON VIEWS trees have been identified as being of significant higher level path value and consideration will need to be given to FROM ADJACENT PROPERTIES their retention within the proposals. The majority of the remaining trees are appropriate to the winding path aesthetic required by the exhibit and should be woodland proposed for retention (the grasslands of the ACCESS TO ‘QUARRY’ Matopos are characterised by rocky outcrops with isolated trees and small wooded areas dotted MORNING between). In developing the layout of animal paddocks and visitor routes, a high degree of hill consideration should be given to the location of significant and otherwise appropriate trees. quarry

10 Kay Elliott Analysis: Opportunities

The topography of the site, although challenging hill from the perspective of access, could allow for a combination of routes at various levels and ACCESS FROM MAINTENANCE NATURAL FLATTENING AT HILLTOP ALLOWS provide the visitor with panoramic views across AREAS CONCEALMENT OF SMALL BUILDING the entire exhibit. As noted on the previous Hedge WITH MINIMAL IMPACT ON VISITORS’ VIEWS page, trees identified as being of value should AND NEIGHBOURING PROPERTIES be retained within the proposals and could be appropriate to the desired aesthetic. These retained trees could also act as focal points, nodes or as screening between separate sections of pathway. This screening would allow visitors to Hedge enjoy the animals from different vantage points housing without losing the sense of immersion due to direct views of other visitors. The opportunity also exists Elevated Walkway Hedges Education Centre Amphibian Ark for further new planting to reinforce this screening.

Monkey Heights Relocating large stables towards the perimeter of the EXISTING MAIN ACCESS Rhino site would allow the central fence exhibit sufficient space without interruption by sizeable zebra stables Nocturnal House buildings, fences and holding yards BOWL-SHAPED TERRAIN boulder barrier ALLOWS VIEWING boulder FROM MULTIPLE VANTAGE barrier Although the site has very few level areas, some EXISTING ACCESS terrain is more shallowly sloped towards the far badger sets POINTS boulder barrier north and south-east. These areas might be more cli Gazebo appropriate for stables and associated animal yards. The natural terrain in the south-east was historically more steeply sloping but has already EVENING housing cli House been levelled in part to provide a paddock for the EXISTING PADDOCKS WITH LEVELLED TERRAIN Mishmi takin. The location of these areas towards higher level path MORE SUITABLE FOR PROPOSED ANIMAL HARDSTANDING the perimeter of the site, as well as being more appropriate to this use, would allow the central exhibit sufficient space without interruption by winding path sizeable buildings, fences and holding yards. woodland ACCESS TO ‘QUARRY’

MORNING

hill quarry

Paignton Zoo: Savannah! Exhibit 11 Original Proposal: Layout

The existing natural characteristics of the site are used to enhance visitor experience of the Savannah.

Animals are seen as part of the landscape which they co-occupy with the viewer. Cafe High level viewing points including a cafe and savannah overlook are accessed from pathways off a main drive which weaves through the savannah exhibit. (smaller The design also includes a dry ‘river bed’ running down animals) through the valley, a watering hole and a themed village which will provide further viewpoints as well as visitor facilities. Many of the existing stabling blocks were retained within this proposal Cheetah

Following early development of this proposal it was (smaller animals) clear that the route up to the top of the northern paddock would require significant amounts of pathways winding due to the large level change. This would prove challenging both in terms of disabled access and in terms of cost. The proposal also considered the incorporation of a safari ride, however the overall scale of the exhibit would be unlikely to support the additional Meerkats Existing Zebra space required for queueing and the view was that this Stables would compromise the overall visitor experience. Dry River Bed AFRICAN VILLAGE The brief was then expanded to include the quarry “gate” at the south-east corner of the site. This freed up the opportunity to relocate the takin exhibit and allow the ENTRANCE zebra stables to move, creating more space for the main savannah paddock. The extent of the savannah exhibit also expanded to the west, allowing creation of Mixed Paddock Viewing a meandering pathway that passed smaller birds and Platforms Existing mammals before opening onto the main mixed species Rhino Viewing Dry River Bed Buildings area.

House

Black Rhino Elephant & Gira e House

Right: Initial proposal showing a single main route with a panoramic lookout point at the top of the current zebra paddock

12 Kay Elliott Expanded Brief: Initial Layout

Access Road Lechwe

Savannah “Theatre” Redwoods Monkey Walk Heights

keeper Waterhole Viewing Small H access pavilion Animals

Education Centre

T A Village ats DR S Y RIVER BED

E

k Meer R N Camels Meerkats MIXED EXHIBIT O Badgers N F (temporary?) Hogs ENTRANCE A Elephant keeper w/ Kiosk & Rhino Rhino yard Signage V Zebra viewing viewing S A (future phase)

Black Rhino Gazebo

Cheetah

Takin Quarry

Right: updated proposals responding to the expanded brief - the main paddocks are given more space due to relocation of existing stables; above: analysis of proposals showing a single meandering route (top) and exhibits combined and connected with a common theme

Paignton Zoo: Savannah! Exhibit 13 Expanded Brief:

Updated Proposal Access Road Lechwe

Ostrich & Lechwe

Possible Viewing Redwoods pavilion Monkey Walk Heights Red River Hogs keeper Waterhole access Zebras H Village Education DRY RIV Centre Aardvark ER BED T A

S ats

E Gira es

k Meer R Lower Meerkats NMIXED EXHIBIT Camels

O Maned Wolves N F ENTRANCE w/ Kiosk & Rhino Hogs A viewing Rhino Elephant Signage viewing V keeper Zebra S A yard Black Rhino Badgers (future phase) Upper Aviary Gazebo

Cheetah

Barbary Sheep Takin

Quarry

14 Kay Elliott Expanded Brief: Updated Proposal

All dimensions and sizes to be verified by the Contractor on site. discrepancies to be verified with the Architect before work proceeds. No dimensions to be scaled from this drawing. Contractors must work to figured dimensions. © This drawing is subject to copyright The final updates to the scheme included the of Kay Elliott Architects Ltd. addition of two large aviaries at the entrance. Reproduced from OS map 1 : 200 by permission of Ordnance On the approach to these aviaries a new path Survey® on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown copyright . All rights reserved. License No configuration has been added to remove the 100018715 circular path around the mandrill enclosure and create a feature around one of the finest existing trees on the site, a category A oak. Off this will ISO 9001 Registered Firm be a viewing area into the monkey paddocks to the north, the mandrills and the maned wolves.

The visitor will then continue around the Retained and proposed trees / fencing / planting in foreground path, past a rhino viewing area and through a omitted for clarity - refer to site plan and area landscaping plans for proposals themed rockwork wall (shaded on the below Trees in background are included to illustrate areas of foliage image to show the buildings behind) which will and form of surrounding topography - heights and exact act as a gateway to the Savannah exhibit. locations of trees are shown indicatively only The site area was also extended up into the north-east corner to include the group of bungalows at the end of Brantwood Close. These properties will be demolished to make way for an education facility with associated screening planting along the northern edge. Lower and Upper Aviaries - East Elevation

The path will take visitors through a gateway of rock and between two aviaries before the view opens out onto the mixed species paddock

Lower and Upper Aviaries - West Elevation Paignton Zoo: Savannah! Exhibit 15

Rev Date By Detail

Drawing status Preliminary

Client Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

Project/Location Paignton Zoo - Savannah! Totnes Road TQ4 &EU

5-7 Meadfoot Road T +44 (0)1803 213553 Devon F +44 (0)1803 298578 TQ1 2JP [email protected] www.kayelliott.co.uk

Drawing title Aviary Elevations

Lower and Upper Aviaries - North Elevation Scale(s) Date Drawn Checked 1 : 200@A1 04/05/16 JB JB

Drawing number Revision

3756 - (32)16 Chartered Practice

C:\worksets\Paignton Zoo - Savannah!_johnb.rvt