FOUR new homes are set to be built on the site of a former zoo in Vange, with councillors set to give the plans the green light.

Basildon Council's homes building firm Sempra Homes is planning to build the new properties on the site of the former Basildon Zoo site, off London Road, Vange. If agreed the homes would be three bedroomed properties, previous proposals were for nine homes on the site. 

Basildon Zoo opened in 1973 but closed and was left vacant in 2001, the statement continues. In 2020, two years after Sempra Homes purchased the site, the former zoo keeper's house was targeted by arsonists and the bungalow was destroyed.

The former zoo was once home to birds, reptiles, and big cats including a notable lioness named Carla but closed its gates for the last time after facing complaints and protests about its conditions.

The council officer's report says: "The proposed redevelopment of this site to provide four detached dwellings replacing existing buildings on this site, is not considered to have any greater impact on the openness of the greenbelt and the purposes of including land within it than the existing development on this site, nor will it give rise to any significant harm to the amenities of neighbouring occupiers or lead to any serious harm to highway safety on London Road or surrounding roads, and therefore is considered to accord with the guidance contained in the national planning policy framework and is acceptable in this instance.

"The proposal, following revisions to reduce the number of dwellings proposed as well as the form of the dwellings from houses to bungalows, resulting in a similar level of built development on the site and of a form which is now considered not to result in development that would have a greater impact on the openness of this greenbelt than that of the existing buildings on this site."

Basildon Council's planning committee will discuss the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, 11 September.