Long-touted proposals to include an indoor waterpark and hotel in the £80m (US$124m, €110m) expansion of the West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley, England, have been approved by councillors.

The waterpark, which is designed to operate entirely independent of the hotel development, will include seven waterslides, a splash area, wave pool, external river rapids and a 200-seat restaurant. A projected opening date for the waterpark has been set at 2017. The 250-bedroom hotel, which will also feature a conference centre and spa, was granted outline planning permission.

According to a statement from planning consultants RPS, the development will upgrade and improve the viability of the West Midlands Safari Park, also allowing for the potential of heathland restoration and recreation. RPS added that the develop will enhance “the park’s function as a major tourism destination and will make a positive contribution to the local community.”

With the proposal now approved by the local authority, the development seems set to come to fruition, though issues were raised regarding traffic congestion caused around the park, which still need to be addressed.

RPS said a date had not yet been set for work to begin, though development it is expected to be underway very soon.