Dear Mr Salmond,

Funding for Edinburgh Zoo Masterplan

I am writing on behalf of myself and John Barrett MP. A number of residents, elected representatives, and community organisations in the Edinburgh West area have been deeply concerned about proposals by the Royals Zoological Society of Scotland to sell a section of the greenbelt land behind Edinburgh Zoo for development as housing.

Any housing development would have had a significant and largely negative impact on the area, and would constitute a loss of greenspace to the area, as well as being potentially problematic in terms of increased traffic and strain on other local facilities. For these reasons, it was opposed by a majority of the members of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Planning Committee at a meeting on October 4th. However, it is widely known that the reason the Society have been compelled to consider this land sale is that they face a shortfall of some £20 million in the budget for their planned expansion.

Clearly, it is in the best interests of Edinburgh and Scotland as a whole that the Zoo is able to expand as planned and remain in its current location. The Zoo is not only a great tourism asset to the area, as one of Scotland’s most successful tourist attractions, but also contributes a great deal in terms of education and conservation work, and works with a number of Scottish universities on environmental projects. It would be deeply concerning if the Zoo felt unable to stay here in Edinburgh as a result of financial constraints and John and I are aware that the Society has considered moving in the past.

We feel it is an anomaly that the Zoo as a great asset and contributor to Edinburgh is not supported financially in the same way as other attractions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens. While the Botanic Gardens receive millions in taxpayers’ money, the Zoo is provided with only occasional funding for specific projects. We think it is important that we recognise the contribution of the Zoo to the city and the country as a whole and work to ensure it continues to flourish here in Edinburgh.

For this reason, we feel that the Scottish Government should seek to ensure that the Zoo is on a secure financial footing and able to proceed with its planned expansion. Direct Scottish Government funding would be advantageous in terms of building more effective communication between the Society and the Government and for the achievement of mutually beneficial long term goals.

John and I would therefore be grateful if you consider the points raised above and the case for direct Scottish Government funding for the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland.

We appreciate your assistance on this matter and look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.  

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Smith MSP