Following a consultation on St Modwen Properties’ proposals for a £100m Castle Hill scheme in Dudley, environmental concerns have led to the reducing of ancillary leisure use to 65,000sq ft from 115,000sq ft and the restructuring of the attractions offering.

The scheme includes the existing zoo and two castle-based attractions, Seigecraft and Origins – the latter looking at the origins of the earth through to the dinosaurs. There will also be cafés and restaurants, units for heritage, craft and tourism merchandise, a garden centre, housing and a woodland walk.

As well as the heritage craft and retail and restaurant supporting uses at the base of Castle Hill being reduced, the entrance to the zoo and castle will remain at the bottom of Castle Hill instead of trying to separate the two attractions. This will give the zoo more space.

The Seigecraft exhibition will now be accommodated within exiting castle structures avoiding the need for any building work within the castle.

The housing element of the scheme will also be scaled down, with an area known as Peggy’s Meadow, formerly marked for development, coming under the same management scheme as the woodlands.

Anthony Glossop, chair of St Modwen, said: “The new proposals will guarantee the delivery of three exciting, high quality attractions at Castle Hill; namely a state of the art zoo, Siegecraft within the castle and Origins.

“However, they do ensure that everything that is feasible has been done to meet the concerns of consultants and objectors.”

Peter Suddock, chief executive at Dudley Zoological Gardens, added: “The historical relevance of the castle within the zoo cannot be underestimated and an increased area allows our animals experience to extend the attractions offered to the visitor.

“We are delighted with the outcome of this and believe that St Modwen has truly listened to the people of Dudley in producing a series of world class attractions while minimising the effect on the environment.” Details: www.stmodwen.co.uk