WEST Midland Safari Park is seeking permission to build a new lion house and four more luxury lodges.

The proposal forms phase three of the park’s “wildlife masterplan” with phase one complete and phase two under construction.

According to the design and access statement submitted to Wyre Forest District Council, the new enclosure “will provide much-improved animal housing for the current lion stock”.

As well as a lion house and lodges, it is proposed two covered viewing areas, four viewing pods and a lion holding pen are also constructed.

Managing director, Chris Kelly said: "We're pleased to announce that we have submitted plans for the next phase of our development.

"This will see new habitats, housing and facilities being built for our bachelor group of lions, giving them 24-hour access to indoor and outdoor facilities, in their new, enriched habitat.

"Alongside the new lion facilities, we will be installing four new lodges, which will be very similar in layout to our current cheetah lodges.

"They will have two bedrooms, a lounge, kitchenette, comfortable indoor and outdoor seating and stunning interiors, inspired by African design.

"We hope to release more information about booking and an opening date, subjective to planning being granted, later in the year."

The lion lodges are single-storey to give guests “an eye-level view of the lions to get the proximity and immersive experience of being with the animals,”

The new lodges will be located near the park’s African Village, a pedestrianised area that houses meerkats, lemurs and goats.

This means that day guests will be able to see the lions on foot, for the first time in the park’s history, from a viewpoint in the African Village.

If planning is granted for the new lion lodges, the park hopes that works shall begin in October.