PLANS have been put forward by West Midland Safari Park to build eight new lodges, overlooking the rhino and giraffe enclosures.

The park has lodged an application with Wyre Forest District Council to demolish the existing rhino housing and giraffe housing, and construct two new enclosures which will be overlooked by eight safari lodges.

These will be the latest addition to the ever growing collection of safari lodges with eight elephant and cheetah lodges opening in April this year followed by two red panda cottages in June.

These new plans form part of phase two of the park's four part masterplan following a takeover by Looping Group in 2018.

Currently, the giraffe,rhino and ungulate (any mammal with hooves) housing is outdated and is unsuitable for further use.

In the design and access statement, it states the giraffe lodges will have a living space on the first floor so guests can view giraffes at eye level. "The lodges are designed for giraffe encounters, ground floor bedrooms and first floor living space so that guests view the giraffes at eye level to get the proximity and immersive experience of being as close as safely possible to the animals," its states.

"Each lodge is detached and spatially separated to ensure that guests have the most immersive experience of being close to the animals without external distraction. The separation of lodges also helps maintain visual openness of the site."

The rhino lodges will be "identical in scale and appearance to the giraffe lodges but with living accommodation at ground floor and bedrooms at first floor."

Both lodges will have thatched roofs to match the exiting appearance of the lodges.