Dudley's Castle Hill scheme is hailed as a boost for tourism

Dudley Zoo and Castle will have a new entrance, as part of the major scheme backed by around £4.5 million of European funding.

Planning officers from Dudley Council have recommended the overall £10.1m project for approval ahead of a landmark meeting next Monday.

The authority wants Dudley Zoo, the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Canal Trust to be better linked to help boost visitor numbers towards one million a year.

But council leader, Councillor David Sparks, said the authority must look at ways to link the Castle Hill site to the High Street so prosperity from the investment can filter into the town centre.

A report to Monday's planning committee said the project would contribute to "the local economy in the form of delivering the first phase of a major development thereby supporting job creation and the expansion of the visitor economy".

The report added: "The proposals would form the first phase of a wider project to develop the site in a way that would assist in the development of the visitor economy of the borough and in particular an expansion in visitor numbers at the Zoological Gardens, The Black Country Living Museum and The Dudley Canal Trust, as well as facilitating the development and regeneration of Dudley town centre as a centre for entertainment, leisure and recreation."

New features of the development include creating a piazza at the entrance of the zoo and with visitor facilities to act as an arrival point to the attraction.

Animal sculptures and seating are going to be installed to theme the new entrance close to the rear of the Dudley Hippodrome building.

Works to create a new access road off Tipton Road have already started. Around 600 parking spaces will be created with space for coaches. The application also outline proposals to build a visitors hub.

Councillor Sparks, who is also vice-chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "The investment will generate jobs for Castle Hill and keep the Black Country and Dudley on the map but would help to attract further investment into the area."

Councillors sitting on the authority's planning committee will make a final decision over the planning application at next week's meeting at Dudley Council House from 6pm.