You might soon be able to spend the night at Chester Zoo - and wake up with giraffes roaming past your window

Chester Zoo unveiled plans to build safari-style lodges where visitors could stay overnight and wake up to see giraffes at close quarters. A whole swathe of overnight accommodation and a new restaurant could be built next to a giraffe enclosure under the proposals, CheshireLive reports.

The zoo was originally given planning permission to build 28 lodges and 14 tents in September 2019, but the Covid-19 pandemic meant the project had to be put on hold. Now bosses have unveiled their 'Natural Vision' masterplan to tap into the overnight stay market by developing the popular tourist attraction into a Savannah habitat with an attractive lake, an African street and a welcome building.

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Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning committee approved the initial plans back in 2019, despite being regarded as inappropriate development in the green belt. Councillors agreed with the planning officer that the zoo’s economic and conservation role meant it passed the very special circumstances test.

The new enhanced plans, which affect the western edge of the zoo, come hot on the heels of plans to convert the zoo's original stable block into a weddings and events venue, which were given the green light by the council back in April this year. Zoo bosses state that the area chosen for the waterside lodge plans is not currently used to house animals or any sort of visitor experience.

The overnight accommodation, which is part of the wider Grasslands masterplan, would also involve erecting a welcome building. This would include a reception, restaurant for up to 120 people serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a bar for both overnight guests