Conwy's panning committee are set to refuse plans for a new home for the Colwyn Bay snow leopard.

Welsh Mountain Zoo has applied for permission to knock down the existing snow leopard enclosure and replace it with an education centre and a new enclosure at the zoo.

Planning officers have recommended the new enclosure be refused planning permission but have urged councillors to grant permission for the demolition of the current enclosure and the building of the education centre.

The applicant, Nick Jackson, is seeking planning permission for the erection of a snow leopard enclosure and housing facility.

The ground floor of the enclosure would include the housing facility, which would include three sleeping dens, a breeding den, viewing den, holding cage and staff areas.

There would be a raised viewing platform and walkway at first floor.

The housing building and raised viewing platform would be 15 metres in length by 6.8 metres in depth by 10 metres in height.

While officers said there would be a negligible visual impact from the new building, they said that where it would be built is problematic.

The plans would see the new enclosure built on an underused greenfield site at the zoo.

A report before members of the planning committee said: “Officers consider that the location of the building and enclosure would have a detrimental impact on landscape character and on the openness of the green wedge.

“Whilst the economic and animal welfare benefits are acknowledged, officers do not consider that they justify the proposal in this particular location.

“The recommendation is therefore to refuse planning permission.”

The new education centre would house play equipment, the ground floor play equipment, seating area, kitchen and two toilets.

A smaller lower ground floor would accommodate the end of slide runs and a play area.

The planning report on that development concluded: “The proposal would diversify the range of facilities offered by the zoo and offer a wet weather attraction.

“Officers consider that subject to suitable conditions in respect of ecology, the proposal is now acceptable in terms of ecology.

“Officers consider that subject to suitable conditions, the proposal is acceptable and the recommendation is therefore to grant conditional planning permission.”

Councillors on Conwy’s planning committee will consider the application when they meet on Wednesday.

Director of operations and administration at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, Jen Jesse, added: “We are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Planning Committee meeting next Wednesday with regards to the Silk Road Project.”