A picnic shelter at a North Staffordshire tourist attraction could be replaced with a new shop building, if a planning application is approved.

The Park Director at Trentham Monkey Forest has submitted an application to Stafford Borough Council for a 'New Shop Building' and the removal of an existing picnic shelter.

The proposals would remove the existing picnic shelter, which the application states "was not being well used on the site", with the new shop structure built on its footprint.

The application states: "At Trentham Monkey Forest a Weakness was identified that there was insufficient Retail / Shop floor area as existing on the site."

It adds: "Options were considered with larger areas of storage, and a link to the existing 'Main Building', however it was decided that a better proposal would be detached as this allowed for greater security and the building could be closed at times when the staff levels was inadequate or during low demand."

The building is intended to be a modern interpretation of the timber frame, chalet style buildings found elsewhere across Trentham Estate.

The design and access statement submitted alongside the proposal concludes: "The proposals represent a high quality 'custom-designed building' which celebrates the success of Trentham Monkey Forest as the site moves forward past their 20th year anniversary.

"The design aspires to be contemporary in its architecture and materials, accessible in its design and adaptable in layout to be suitable for all types of building occupants.

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"The building fabric will be to the highest possible standards of thermal efficiency whilst the heating method and renewable energy strategies in place will ensure that a sustainable, highly efficient building is conceived. This type of proposal should be actively promoted by Stafford Borough Council."

The site is located within the boundary of Trentham Conservation Area and near several historic structures.

A heritage statement submitted alongside the application stated: "The replacement of the existing modern 'Picnic Shelter' building for an enlarged 'New Shop Building' alongside the 'Main Building' at Trentham Monkey Forest will have an imperceptible effect on the Sutherland Monument.

"Likewise, the effect on the wider Trentham Estate, the Conservation Area, and the Grade II* listed Garden will be benign / no effect."

It adds: "In addition to the proposal having no appreciable negative effects on the nearby listed buildings and the listed park and gardens, there is a further positive benefit of making the offering to the public at Trentham Monkey Forest enhanced through the new facilities."

Stafford borough Council has yet to make a decision on the application.

To view the full application, visit the planning website here.