Zoo revises plans for 'Dudley Bug' centre

The controversial 'Dudley Bug' Trilobite centre had been earmarked for the site of the old 1930s Dudley Hippodrome in Castle Hill, Dudley.

But bosses at Dudley Zoo today revealed they those proposals had been shelved after they consulted schools and groups which visit the attraction.

Officials also said uncertainty over the future availability of the Dudley Hippodrome land had led to a u-turn on the proposals.

Instead the Trilobite centre will be built on a maintenance area on zoo ground close to the bear enclosure which is currently being revamped.

It gives the Hippodrome a further stay of execution after Dudley Council bosses agreed to take demolition plans off the table while other options were explored.

Zoo spokeswoman Jill Hitchman said the new site would allow pupils and group members to remain safely on site rather than have to exit and re-enter a neighbouring building.

"We were led to believe the Hippodrome site would become available at a time suitable to the zoo's ongoing development plans, and obviously seized the opportunity to provide a home for our much-needed education and conference centre," she said.

"However, the opening of Dudley Zoo's new entrance and car park has shifted the physical focus of the site and since our Easter launch we have invested in extensive surveys of schools and independent groups and their views are constant – they want to remain on site for the whole visitor experience and have quick and easy access directly from the car park to a more appropriate site within the zoological grounds."

She added: "With an ever-growing demand for education, and a solid year-on-year growth – we have seen 15,000 school visits in the past year and pre-bookings for 14/15 are already high – we have an immediate need for the new centre and the on-site area at the lower level provides us with just that, while a conferencing centre will allow us to expand the business further."

Dudley Zoo is working with Trilobite's architects to adapt the current layout to better suit the new site.

Maintenance and stores departments at the zoo will be merged, subject to planning.

Original estimates had the building of the centre standing at £3 million but zoo officials say this could not be revised down and is not yet finalised.

The centre was to be built showcase Castle Hill's history as part of a prehistoric seabed, educating visitors about the trilobite, also known as the Dudley Bug.

But is is also planned to link to the zoo's animals and conservation work.