Crocodile zoo submits expansion plans

The zoo called the proposal "a necessary step in improving animal welfare"

A specialist animal park is looking to build a new house to cater for the “growing in size” of its animals.

Crocodiles of the World (COTW), near Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, has submitted a proposal to West Oxfordshire District Council for a house for its 35 Nile crocodiles.

The building would be constructed adjacent to its existing crocodile house and would increase overall parking on site by about 40 spaces.

An applicant planning paper said the zoo had "a high level of standards to maintain".

The plans also feature an extension to give visitors a circular walkway

“The proposal is to add a duplicate building next to the existing building to cater for these animals, and retain their star billing," the paper adds.

“It is not envisioned that this proposal will lead to any increase in visitor numbers and therefore there will be no additional traffic.”

A new toilet facility is also proposed for the south side of the new building, as well as an extension to give visitors a circular walkway.

The applicant added that COTW had "established itself as one of the main local visitor attractions of west Oxfordshire and as such has a high level of standards to maintain".

“This proposal is a necessary step in improving animal welfare and to avoid overcrowding of species, and we urge the council to support the proposal.”