A transformational regeneration scheme which will almost double visitor numbers to Dudley's major tourist attractions to over one million people, create jobs and improve the local economy has been launched. The ambitious scheme will involve major infrastructure improvements at the 200 hectare site which is currently home to Dudley Zoological Gardens, the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Canal Trust.

This latest phase of the scheme is supported by over £4.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government and matched by Dudley Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Dudley Zoological Gardens. 

Communities Minister Baroness Hanham CBE said: 

"Like many towns in England, Dudley town centre has experienced economic decline over the last few decades with high unemployment levels due to the loss of traditional manufacturing. 

"Through this project we have the opportunity to help address this issue, help to increase visitor numbers at key attractions and revitalise the area through the creation of an economically sustainable tourism and leisure cluster, which will create jobs for local people, support the local community and improve the overall performance of the area. I am delighted that we are able to offer funding support to such an important development."  

The project revolves around creating new access and infrastructure to create one shared arrival point for visitors to the three attractions together with the new archive building. The scheme will provide new access, a visitor hub, a new physical link between the three existing attractions and will provide the basis for significant new private sector investment and jobs as result of new commercial and leisure activities locating nearby. This latest phase forms part of a bigger £46 million redevelopment programme set for the Castle Hill site in Dudley town centre.

Councillor Les Jones, leader of Dudley Council said: 

"The development of Castle Hill is a key attraction not only for Dudley but for the whole region. This scheme has the scope to increase visitor numbers to the site from around 600,000 to one million people a year and the project is a major aspect of our current regeneration programme for the whole of the Dudley borough.  

"I am delighted that the council, together with its regeneration company New Heritage Regeneration Limited has been able to work closely and successfully with the Department of Communities and Local Government and our partners that currently operate at Castle Hill to put this scheme together."

The scheme will also involve a new entrance being created at Dudley Zoological Gardens.

Peter Suddock, chief executive at Dudley Zoological Gardens, added:

"We are very supportive of the project, which will transform the area to the north of the site, and are delighted with the partnership with the local authority. 

"These are exciting times for Dudley Zoological Gardens, as we are also working independently on a  £1.15million scheme for the restoration of four of our iconic Tecton buildings with Heritage Lottery Funding."

To find out more about the scheme, contact Clare Marshall at Dudley Council on 01384 814698.