£3m Dudley Zoo centre plan unveiled

The striking futuristic concept was unveiled by bosses at the attraction showcasing the multi-million pound centre, known as the Trilobite building.

It has been designed to recreate the famous Dudley Bug fossil shape.

The centre would be built on the site of Dudley Hippodrome, in Castle Hill opposite the Station Hotel, should the controversial plans to demolish the theatre be approved at a meeting next month.

The modern building was today welcomed by the borough's council leader David Sparks who hopes its design will provide an iconic addition to the region's landscape.

It will highlight Castle Hill's unique history as part of a prehistoric seabed educating visitors on creatures like the trilobite.

But the sweeping curved centre will also incorporate a centre for zoology, geology and education and link to the limestone Stores Cavern beneath the Zoo site.

They also want the centre to link to the zoo's animals and conservation work and delve into the history of limestone and coal in the area linking the region's industrial heritage.

Officials today said the new centre would offer uninterrupted views of 11th century Dudley Castle.

Major £10 million redevelopment plans are already under way for Castle Hill with a new visitor entrance for the Zoo in the pipeline.

This would transform the lower levels of the zoo's 40-acre site to improve links with the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Canal Trust.

It is part of wider plans to boost tourism in Dudley and bring in up to one million visitors every year.

Dudley Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock said a European funding bid for the new centre would be submitted next year.

Subject to planning permission, Mr Suddock said he hoped work would get under way in 2015/16 and be integrated into the Castle Hill programme. "Trilobite will expand and improve our education facilities to meet the growing demands placed upon Dudley Zoo and support our new castle experience which opens in October 2014," he said.

The plans also herald the start of a new partnership with Dudley College training students in subjects related to visitor attractions such as customer services, catering, retail, event management, travel and tourism. Mr Suddock added: "It's all come at a great time – we will be able to incorporate the plans into our new entrance and car park and the new centre will be a natural addition to the development."

Councillor David Sparks added: "The futuristic design of the building is totally in keeping with the world famous Tecton buildings which are such a feature of the Zoo."

A public piazza would be created at the entrance of the zoo under the wider scheme 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. Major development work on the Castle Hill site has already started.

Officials also want to build a visitors hub with information on all three attractions.

They would be linked with a new roadway and plans for a land train to run between all three are proposed.

The schemes for Castle Hill have been backed by around £4.5 million of European funding.