The Yorkshire Wildlife Park has submitted plans for the first phase of its £50m (US$67.8m, €56.5m) expansion, a project which will bring in new animals and double the workforce.

Adding 150 acres (61 hectares) of new land next to its existing site at Doncaster in the UK, the plans includes new reserves and the introduction of new species to continue the park's conservation and welfare work.

The planning application to Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council includes details for a new entrance and carparks. Further applications will link the new area with the current park, bringing new animal reserves, lakes, landscaping and a visitor support hub at the new entrance as well as restaurants and a destination hotel.

“This is significant investment and a step change for Yorkshire Wildlife Park,” said the park’s CEO, John Minion. “We have been working hard to create an expansion that is in keeping with the ethos of the park and is an asset for local people to enjoy and benefit from.

“We have consulted with experts on the environmental, ecological, transport and business impact. We believe that it will bring great benefit to the area.”

The park, which opened in 2009, is one of the UK’s most popular zoos, welcoming a record 761,000 visitors in 2016. It is home to more than 400 animals across 80 species and employs 300 members of staff, this number doubling to 600 on completion of the project.