CHESTER ZOO is to make use of a 'Green Loan' to help is build a new safari-style hotel and wildlife habitat.
Last year we reported on resubmitted plans by the zoo to build overnight hotel lodges overlooking spectacular animal habitats, on land owned but not actively used by the zoo.
It would ultimately feature 63 lodges of varying style and size, many around the perimeter of a large body of water, plus a restaurant, bar and wildlife pond. A spectacular new savannah habitat would be created, meaning many of the hotel guests could wake up to seeing giraffes strolling by their lodge.
The new restaurant would seat up to 120 people, for breakfast, lunch or dinner, with the first-floor views overlooking the lake and the giraffe enclosure.
Santander UK has now confirmed it has provided its long-time client Chester Zoo with a funding package, comprising a revolving credit facility and a Green Loan, to support its development of new wildlife habitats and visitor accommodation.
An impression of what Chester Zoo's new Africa habitats might look. Picture: Chester Zoo.
The funding supports Chester Zoo’s latest developments, which include the new Africa zone to feature giraffes, zebra, ostrich and antelope. It also includes the new lodge-style hotel.
Construction is already under way on the African habitats, and work is, subject to planning permission, scheduled to start on the hotel later this year. Both are due to open to the public in spring 2025.
The Green Loan supports construction of the hotel, which will be developed to a BREEAM Very Good standard and through a variety of sustainability measures will target a an Energy Performance Certificate A rating, and is aligned to the Loan Market Association’s Green Loan Principles and Santander’s Sustainable Finance Classification System.
Chester Zoo has banked with Santander UK for 10 years. Over that time, the bank has provided funding to support a number of the zoo’s developments including its Islands zone featuring species from the Philippines, Papua, Bali, Sumatra, Sumba, and Sulawesi.
Over the next decade, Chester Zoo will continue to develop the zoo, aligning its wildlife habitats to the conservation work that its teams undertake both in the zoo and across the world in support of its mission to prevent extinction.
Liz Carnie, corporate director at Chester Zoo, said: “Our new African zone and overnight accommodation will put a spotlight on a whole host of highly threatened species from the African continent.
"These important new additions to our zoo will ensure we can continue to attract visitors for years and years to come, which is key to funding our vital species-saving work long into the future.
"At a time when a million species are faced with extinction and global biodiversity under huge threat, these projects will give a major boost to our charity and the conservation work we carry out, here in Chester and right across the world.”
Jo Phipson, regional managing director, Santander UK said: “Having been Chester Zoo’s banking partner for the past decade, we are pleased to provide this latest funding, which includes the zoo’s first Green Loan.
"Santander UK is very proud to support this charity which has a such a strong focus on preserving biodiversity and providing environmental education and we look forward to working with the zoo as it continues its important work over the years to come.”
Santander UK was advised by Addleshaw Goddard LLP and Chester Zoo by Hill Dickinson LLP and Knights Debt Advisory.
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