New images show Dudley park's visitor centre

Proposals for a new £2.5 million visitor centre to be built in the grounds of Hagley Hall, near Stourbridge, have been revealed as the next stage of a tourism project.

Lord Cobham, who owns the hall and surrounding Hagley Park, hopes to reopen the park which had been closed for more than three decades.

He hopes income from up to 100,000 visitors a year will provide sustainable revenue aimed at helping pay vast costs associated which maintaining the 18th century hall and 300-acre park.

The centre would be built on fields off the A456 opposite the Badgers Sett pub under proposals with a new link roadway being constructed off the dual carriageway.

It will incorporate education and history exhibitions showcasing Hagley Hall and Park through the decades inside study areas for visiting school children.

There will also be a restaurant, gift shop and outdoor seating area for visitors to gaze over the rolling hills of the parkland.

Accommodation for a ranger is also part of the plans alongside a children's play area.

With thousands of visitors expected in peak seasons proposals also outline plans to create a car park for up to 180 vehicles including coaches.

Lord Cobham today said he hoped the visitor numbers could put the venue on par with the Black Country Living Museum and Severn Valley Railways as a Midland attraction.

"We are very excited about the park plans as it would be a huge attraction for this part of the world," he said.

"It's very important to bring back the 18th century park for the public."

Andrew Russell-Wilks, of planning and development consultants Ancer Spa Ltd, says the plans will be discussed by Brosgrove District Council within the coming weeks.

It is hoped that if the plans are approved the park could open to the public in 2016.

Extensive restoration projects are already under way to return many of the parks original features to their former glory.

Over recent months the ornate casades, waterfalls and pools have been painstakingly cleared and rebuilt.

Pathways which once led walkers on picturesque routes through the park have also been re-marked and relaid.

Work to restore the Wychbury Obelisk and the Rotunda, which are among the main features of the parkland has been a priority.

Lord Cobham has also introduced ways to help raise vital funds including opening up Hagley Hall to hire for weddings, conferences and other functions.

He hopes to hold an open event within the next few weeks to give the public an early glimpse at some of the restoration works which have already taken place.