Chester Zoo Heart of Africa

The Heart of Africa project at Chester Zoo exemplifies McPhillips’ guiding principles – excellence as standard, disciplined attention to detail and collaborative client partnerships. This project followed our successful completion of an £8.2 million conservation and breeding facility for the Zoo in 2020.

Scope of works

As principal contractor, McPhillips delivered the design and redevelopment of eight acres of existing animal habitats to create a stunning new African Savannah visitor attraction. The project includes 14 buildings housing animal habitats with public viewing areas, education and retail spaces, and an open savannah landscape providing a natural environment for the animals while offering visitors an immersive experience.

Challenges

Working within one of the UK’s most visited tourist attractions presented unique challenges that required careful planning:

Managing construction near animals, with specific considerations for noise and visual disruption
Limited use of cranes as changes to the skyline could distress animals
Coordinating site access via the Zoo’s main entrance road without impacting visitor flow
Supporting the Zoo’s ambitious Net Zero by 2030 target
All on-site staff received specialised training on managing these demands, ensuring constant awareness of their responsibilities to the wider Zoo operation and its inhabitants.

Key innovations

Innovation has been central to meeting the unique demands of this environment:

Biometric face recognition at the site entrance, ensuring only properly inducted personnel gain access
A highly-efficient, low-emission gas-powered heating solution for the giraffe enclosure, maintaining the required 18°C ambient temperature despite its five-metre door
Integration of renewable technologies including air source heat pumps and PV panels where appropriate
Bespoke design solutions for each retaining wall on site

Solutions and results

Our collaborative partnership with Chester Zoo has been fundamental to the project’s success. From the outset, we worked closely with the client’s design team and animal specialists to ensure that completed work would meet the specific needs of all different species.

The project was delivered on time and on budget, with approximately £3 million in savings identified through value engineering and innovative problem-solving. We enabled the early non-contractual handover of the 10-metre-tall giraffe house, ensuring the animals could be moved to their new home during warmer weather.

Sustainability remained a key focus throughout, with demolition materials recycled on site, earthworks adjusted to minimise off-site disposal, and existing materials repurposed for animal enclosures. The project maintained zero working hours lost to accidents, supported by rigorous safety protocols including fortnightly audits and weekly safety stand-downs.

We maintained our commitment to developing local supply chains, with 92 per cent of our 240-strong workforce based within 20 miles of our Telford headquarters. The largest subcontractor is based within ten miles of the Zoo, and materials such as rocks for the savannah were sourced from local quarries.

Testimonials

“McPhillips has brought a truly collaborative approach to this project. The team showed an excellent appreciation of the unique demands of the work and their professionalism and attention to detail is reflected in work of the highest standard.”

Kevin Jackson, project manager, Chester Zoo

“I have no hesitation recommending McPhillips as a contractor that can deliver and add value to any project. McPhillips provided an honest approach to the work they were involved in and were very responsive to the requirements of the project. I found them to be excellent communicators and provided robust construction knowledge to allow cost effective solutions to be identified and implemented.”

Cathy Lunn, facilities and development director, Chester Zoo

Testimonials

"The site manager and assistant site manger did a fantastic job on the scheme, they were friendly, reliable, professional and their experience on managing the subcontract labour and technical ability was second to none."

Ian Lowe, BIT Group

"McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd undertook the construction of a recent public realm scheme in Shrewsbury, they provided traffic and pedestrian management to manage the construction of the scheme in a busy urban area, with high pedestrian footfall. All civils and re-paving works were completed to a high standard and in a tidy, productive and efficient manner. They were able to engage with Shrewsbury BID to aid in the planning of events, as well as liaising with local businesses and shops to minimise impact. They worked effectively and efficiently to complete works to the accepted programme and administered the contract well using web based management systems. There were good working relationships between all parties, and their on-site management of personnel was excellent."

Scott Hughes, WSP

"McPhillips were good to work with and they were always keen to resolve any issues or complications which obviously occur on such a large and complex project, probably the biggest S278 Worcestershire has ever dealt with."

Sally Everest, Worcestershire County Council

"Having been the first time we have used McPhillips as a main contractor we have been impressed at the ease at which we have developed a good working relationship to enable the project to be maintained to timeline and budget incorporating both additional work items and some more unusual occurrences on-site."

Richard Allen, London & Cambridge Properties

"We will most certainly use McPhillips again and we will have no hesitation in recommending you to other schools and colleges."

Sheena Hodgson, The Westwood Academy

"The site delivery team were extremely helpful. The site was clearly always orderly, fully resourced and well managed throughout. The workmanship was of the highest quality and the project was delivered on-time and within budget providing The Wrekin Housing Trust with a facility of which we are justifiably proud. Overall WHT is more than happy with McPhillips’ performance on Oakwood and wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again in the future."

Karen Lloyd, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"I will have no hesitation in employing McPhillips on other projects and therefore look forward to working with you again; it was a pleasure working with you and your team, demonstrating a positive approach throughout the project."

Mike Steele, Birmingham City Council

"The quality of the work provided is always of a high standard and every effort is made to accommodate the needs of businesses and residents impacted by the work. With regard to project management, I found the management team and site staff to be amenable at all times. I would highly recommend McPhillips to be considered for any highway regeneration projects or similar works."

Steve Hollins, Telford & Wrekin Council

"McPhillips carried out work for Adams’ Grammar School between May and September 2013. They did so under some stringent conditions imposed by the school and performed admirably to meet significant deadlines. Their work on site was also very impressive; their site manager was most professional and worked seamlessly with our own employee when there needed to be alterations/modifications. They worked very easily around children and kept an appropriate distance from our own work. When it came closer to the deadlines they produced work at an impressive speed in order that we were able to open on time. We will certainly use them again."

Michael Barrett, Adams' Grammar School

"I can truly say that I could not wish to have worked in conjunction with a more impressive and agreeable contractor than McPhillips. Many thanks for the experience."

Peter Oughton, Dogs Trust

"We’re delighted with the work carried out by McPhillips. Thanks to their excellent building and civil engineering experience and skills we’ve been able to create an enriched environment for our dogs."

Clarissa Baldwin OBE, Dogs Trust

"We have no hesitation recommending McPhillips and look forward to the opportunity of working with them in the future."

Pam Edwards, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"McPhillips and their team were professional and efficient from tender stage through to contract completion, with a can do attitude that brought the scheme in on time and on budget within tight constraints."

Bob Nicholson, Pochin Developments

"Everyone has commented favourably on the quality of workmanship and the professional, courteous and organised approach of the men involved. As a consequence, the work was completed to a very high standard, in a very short time with the minimum of noise and disruption to residents."

Diane Peacock, Pengrove Residents Association

"McPhillips performed extremely well with a high quality of workmanship and a professional approach in dealing with the public and businesses in a very busy part of the town. I can confidently recommend McPhillips as a competent and professional contractor and since this scheme, I have worked with them on various projects and would be pleased to work with them again in the future."

Karl Farrow, Cheshire West & Chester Council

"I would have no hesitation in recommending McPhillips."

Paul Harris, Shropshire Council

"The team from McPhillips remained positive and proactive throughout, working with the Council's team to find solutions and deliver an enabled site which was fit for purpose. Their can-do attitude and pragmatic approach has been essential in delivering a successful project for the Council."

Kate Turner, Telford and Wrekin Council

"McPhillips has an excellent understanding of the client's needs and works collaboratively to achieve a quality product."

Peter Parker, Birmingham City Council

“Choosing the right construction partner for our development was crucial. McPhillips proved to be the perfect choice, demonstrating exceptional expertise in delivering precisely what our operation needed. As a Telford-based business ourselves, it was particularly satisfying to work with a local construction partner who understood our needs and delivered such high-quality results. The new facility has significantly enhanced our operational capabilities, and McPhillips’ professional approach made the entire process smooth and efficient."

Robin Dale, Dale Brothers

Chester Zoo Heart of Africa

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