Wildlife park plans new 'large herbivore habitat'

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park has applied for permission to construct a "large herbivore habitat" at its site near Doncaster.

The proposal stated that the development would comprise a new enclosure including animal accommodation, public walkways, viewing and seating areas.

If approved, it would create seven new full-time equivalent jobs on land that is already owned by the visitor attraction.

No date has been set for planners at Doncaster Council to decide the application, which was validated on 1 July.

The 30-acre (12 hectare) facility would be located within the central visitor area of the park and would reflect an "African savannah character". The land is currently occupied by a camel enclosure.

Plans show a holding building, paddocks and outdoor exercise area, several pools and reed beds. The doors would be constructed from reinforced steel.

In its design and access statement, the park's owners projected that if the new habitat was allowed to open in August 2027, it would lead to a 20% increase in visitor numbers, expected to be around 1m in 2029.

Currently a planning agreement with the council limits the attraction to 1.5m visitors per year.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park was approached for comment but declined to confirm which species would live in the enclosure while the planning process was ongoing.

It opened in 2009 and the site was previously a large farm with a riding school, petting zoo and arable land.

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