www.chrisrcook.com

See more updates on the YWP Expansion!

It has been more than a little while since I last did one of these – just over two years, in fact.

Aerial Photographs

An updated arial photograph of the new section from 2025 – including all of the cheetah pens.

Application 25/02461/FUL: ‘Something new is waddling your way…’

Status: In planning consultation whilst under construction.

Introduction

Set on the former embankment between the Sea Lion ponds and the Bush Dog enclosure, this (probable) new penguin enclosure is the first of the new construction projects a visitor will encounter.

Plans

A north aligned plan. To the north is the main entrance, to the west is the larger of the Sea Lion pools, to the east is the Bush Dog enclosure, and to the south is the Sea Lion house and water treatment works.

Imagery

The south corner looking north. This will be the approximate location of the two-gated access ‘airlock’. To the top right will be a glass viewing wall that overlooks the pool.

Looking north from the Point Lobos path. The future pool will be to the right of this view.

The north west corner looking south. On completion the pool will be to the left of the turned earth with a beach, buffer zone, and fence to the right.

The north west corner looking north. The pool will be to the rear of this shot.

The west side of the pump house and filtration plant plot. The hotel can be seen on the back right.

East side of the pump house and filtration plant plot. Outflow and return pipes will run under the path to the left.

‘Something new is waddling your way…’

While nothing has yet been formally announced, the pretty big hint on one of the fences means that we can reasonably assume that this enclosure will end up housing penguins or one form or another. It’ll be interesting to see if that turns out to be the case and, if so, exactly what species they house in there; given the size of the enclosure, it’s likely to be a smaller rather than larger variety.

Application 25/02471/FUL: The Gibbon Enclosure and Building

Status: Recommendation and/or Committee

Introduction

Carved out of elements of the Bush Dog and Tapier enclosures, this new enclosure will be used to house a trope of Lar Gibbons.

Plans

The enclosure. On the upper right there will be a new building for animal management and to provide a viewing platform.

The new animal house. This is to be constructed out of clad shipping containers and will consist of a double height animal area with various access hatches for animal entry and exit. The public will be able to view the animals via the windows facing the viewing platform.

Images

The new house from the Sea Lion enclosure viewing rise.

A closer look.

According to the enclosure plans, the gibbons will not have access to the pond in the foreground.

Another view of the animal house. Note the access steps for staff entering the building.

Construction equipment with the new animal house in the background.

The west end of the new animal house. Note the access ramp to the viewing platform.

The full viewing platform. Note the canopy to help keep the sun out of the south facing windows.

The site plans for the enclosure also note that the gibbons will not have access to this pond.

Hotel Extension

There has been no movement on the hotel extension with the frame remaining untouched.

From the hive.

From the car park.