London Zoo's future secured with new leasehold bill

A new bill extending the leasehold for London Zoo has reached the final stage in Parliament before it becomes law.

The Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill will increase the maximum term of the organisation's lease on the land from 60 years to up to 150 years.

Now it has been agreed by both Houses of Parliament, it is ready for royal assent.

When the bill was debated in Parliament, MPs were told that the extension of the leasehold would enable it to plan for the future in terms of investment and improving the site.

The zoo, in Regent's Park in central London, is built on Crown Estate land.

On the Bill passing on the final day of this Parliament, Conservative peer Lord Randall of Uxbridge said: "In the way that the Zoological Society of London has brought back species that were threatened with extinction, I thank everybody for bringing this Bill back from the brink."

The zoo is set to mark its bicentenary in 2026.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]