Masterplan : Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Services provided:
Concept Design
Stakeholder Engagement & Workshops
Landscape & Exhibit Design
Soft Landscape design
3D model / CGI Visualisations
Planning Application Support
Detailed Design
Production of Landscape tender packages
Park Expansion Masterplan
Project overview
The animal expansion Masterplan for Yorkshire Wildlife Park would see the park double in size over the next 5 years. YWP is well known for its high-quality, naturalistic landscapes and habitats. The proposals featured four key zones: an African section, an Asian section, a South American section and a Coastal section. The animal collections were selected to best represent each zone. The landscape proposal includes a large central lake for native flora and fauna, an elevated link bridge connection to the current site, as well as a new gateway, car park and visitor hub development.
Gillespies were involved in the development of the Landscape Masterplan for Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Jonathan McLoughlin lead the multi discipline design team in developing the masterplan from concept stage through to planning and tender production. The commission not only included developing the high level masterplan strategy but also develop detail habitat design proposals for the first 3 phases of the animal exhibits. That involved working closely with the in house animal teams and project management teams.
Credit for the following images to Gillespies
Project features
The Masterplan for the animal areas would be delivered in a 5 year phased approach and would include approx 15. new species to the parks animal collection. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is well known for its high quality, naturalistic landscapes and habitats. The proposals featured four key zones:an African section, Asian section, South American section and Coastal section. The animal collections were selected to best represent each zone. The landscape proposal includes a large central lake for native flora and fauna, an elevated link bridge connection to the current site, in addition along the routes guests will find numerous play areas and picnic areas. The development would also include a new entrance to the park with new dining, conferencing, indoor play and retail attractions. In addition to a 300 person ‘wildlife’ themed hotel. The new entrance area known as the HIVE HUB would contain new areas of landscaping , car parking and a welcoming arrival space for park guests. The hotel would provide views onto some of the animal areas and extend the guest dwell time on site from a one day trip to now a two day experience.
The first phase opened in early 2020 with Spotted Hyenas and Gelada Baboons know as experience Ethiopia. A second phase opened in late 2020 with Red Pandas, Smooth Coated Otters and Binturoung. The third phase opened in early 2021 with a immersive habitat for the parks new group of
Sea Lions.
Client : Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Location : Doncaster, UK
Year : 2017- 2020 (Phased Construction Ongoing)
Project Team : Gillespies / MELT / Cundalls
