A landlord says plans to build more than 40 homes next to his pub zoo will help make the animal park "world class" should they be given the go-ahead.

An application has been submitted by On Architecture and Esquire Developments for a new estate on the Hoo Peninsula.

The 2.22-hectare site, which is primarily open grassland, would see 44 homes built on land adjacent to Fenn Street and the Ratcliffe Highway in St Mary Hoo.

It is also next to the Fenn Bell Conservation Project – the first animal park to be given the title of a licensed zoo in Medway.

It is home to exotic animals including meerkats, toucans, barn owls and bobcats, of which many have been rescued and came via other wildlife parks.

Both the zoo, which was founded back in 2015, and the development plot is owned by Andy Cowell.

The 54-year-old is hoping to sell the field and invest the money into the zoo, which forms part of The Fenn Bell Inn.

He says the zoo has lost more than £1 million since the pandemic, plus seen its monthly electricity bill rise from £1,500 to £4,500 a month during the same period.

Mr Cowell says the development will allow the zoo to clear all its debts and safeguard its future.

He said: "We need investment. So I'm going to sell part of my field and use the money to push back on what our costs are.

"The money that I receive will be invested back into the zoo to protect its future.

"We will be able to clear all covid debts, invest into solar, reducing our usage down to nearly net zero [and] install a water borehole reducing our reliance on taking water from the mains.

"Just these three steps alone will save us over £100k a year on our current bills and allow us not to be so at risk of price increases and be more sustainable in the future.”

Mr Cowell insists the project will also provide visitors to the zoo with a better experience.

He added: "Our zoo is a community asset, and I am so proud that I have had the chance to do this for Medway.

“People, education, and conservation are what we stand for and this can all be accessed [here].

"I believe we can be world class and make a difference locally.”

He continued: “The plan which has been submitted for houses has been very well thought-out.

"I do expect people to object but remember, you do not have to agree with anything I do here at the zoo, but my job is to protect it and the animals living here – plus the 20 staff who work so hard to make this place happen."

If approved, 33 of the 44 homes would be private housing comprising 27 three-bedroom properties and six two-bedroom dwellings.

The remaining 11 would be classed as affordable first homes featuring two one-bedroom flats alongside nine two-bedroom houses.

There would be 93 car parking spaces for residents alongside multiple play areas.

All properties would also feature an electric vehicle charging point with a further two publicly accessible ones.

If approved, Mr Cowell says the money from the sale of the land would allow his park to employ more staff and to build a new enclosure whilst participating in new endangered breeding programmes.

A new veterinary facility and kitchen, as well as new septic tanks, improved disabled access and resurfacing of the car parks would also form part of the improvements.

Information released by Esquire on the application’s planning statement says: “The intention of the development is to create an integrated and well-designed community which contributes positively to the housing and land supply mix in the local area, whilst contributing a suitable and above all sympathetic addition to Fenn Street.

"The scheme itself is being developed not only to deliver much-needed housing for the local area but also to develop sufficiently to financially support the continued success of the Conservation Project.

"This mix [of 40 homes] is also identified as being better suited to the housing needs of the area, delivering smaller unit house types suited to first-time buyers and younger families, and help offer a choice of housing for those looking to remain in the village."

The zoo was a favourite with former Harry Potter and Layer Cake star Michael Gambon who visited a number of times before his death last year.

Gambon, whose many famous roles included playing Hogwarts head teacher Albus Dumbledore, dropped by for his last visit in October 2022.

Fenn Street forms part of the Ratcliffe Highway.

The proposed estate is less than three miles away from another development project off the route.

Plans to build more than 240 homes were submitted by Gladman Developments Ltd to Medway Council in September.

However, the proposal, which remains ongoing, attracted several comments from opponents with some feeling their quality of life would be harmed.

You can view updates on the Fenn Bell application by visiting Medway Council's planning portal and searching for reference MC/24/0291.

A decision is expected by May 9.