CHESTER Zoo has lodged plans to demolish a decades old cafe and shop.

A planning application has been put forward to knock down the old Fountains Restaurant which was built more than 50 years ago.

The zoo says the building fabric is 'degrading' and 'limits the usefulness of the area'.

It adds that demolition would create a space for a 'commercial offer that is in keeping with the expanding Madagascar Zone'.

If the plans are approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the building would be knocked down over a 12-month period between September 2020-21.

The planning application states: "The building is a two-storey brick and block work structure with monopitch bituminous felt roofing. It was built approximately 50 years ago.

"It has served as a restaurant, retail shop and staff canteen during that period. The building fabric is degrading and the building structure limits the usefulness of this area of the zoo.

"Demolition will create an area for construction of a commercial offer that is in keeping with the expanding Madagascar Zone – currently housing a recently completed Lemur Enclosure – and comprising animal exhibits, play and education spaces.

"Demolition will be preceded by isolation and disconnection of services to the building and a programme of works to safely remove any asbestos containing materials from the building, in line with the asbestos demolition survey report recommendations.

"In addition, a soft strip of the roof areas that have been occupied by a Pipistrelle bat maternity roost will be performed under licence from Natural England and with on-site guidance by a qualified ecologist.

"Full mitigation measures will be in place to provide alternative accommodation for returning bats. Demolition of the remainder of the building will be by a professional contractor working within a secure site.

"Access will be limited to the demolition contractor and approved personnel. Demolition will be by mechanised equipment and manual labour with necessary PPE."