Developers said not only would the site at Dudley Zoo and Castle, on Castle Hill, contain tropical-based plants but would be home to animals and reptiles.

If Dudley Borough Council approve the �100m scheme next week it is hoped 1,000 jobs would be created.

Property developers St Modwen said they want to turn the Castle Hill area into a major tourist centre.

'Losses reduced'

In 2002 the future of the 65-year-old zoo was thrown into doubt when the management board was ousted over concerns of rising debt - nearly �1m of council tax money was spent on the site during the previous year.

But in 2003 a proposal was announced to turn the zoo into a "world class tourist attraction".

Peter Suddock, the zoo's chief executive, told BBC News on Thursday that trading was now "very successful" as visitor numbers are up and losses had been reduced.

He said: "This is part of and idea that goes back eight or nine years.

"We have been taking this through with St Mowden, the council and English Heritage and we all agree on the principles.

Animals 'key'

"If approved, work will begin in September and take five years - we want to add something new each year."

Anthony Glossop, from St Mowden, said the plans are based on keeping animals at the site.

"We are looking for a habitat where tropical-based animals and plants can live in comfort rather than one where it is just for plants although there will be a plant attraction," he said.

The Eden Project was established as one of several landmark Millennium projects in the UK to mark the year 2000.

Inside a large crater are two vast greenhouses, known as Biomes, which house plants, crops and landscapes from the humid tropics.

The attraction was visited by more than 1.4m people in 2003, down from 1.75m the year before.