A SMALL zoo is continuing with plans for expansion.

Shaldon Wildlife Trust wants to extend its animal enclosure area and make the site more wheelchair-friendly.

The plan is part of a wider vision to make the trust accessible to everyone.

An application to build new animal houses, enclosures and pedestrian pathways will go before Teignbridge Council's planning committee on Tuesday.

The proposal, which has been recommended for approval, is to extend the animal enclosure area and build new animal housing and pathways.

The pathways will link the top of the existing zoo area to a new ramp and access point next to the entrance building for the zoo on Ness Drive, near the tunnel to Ness beach.

Boardwalk pathways around the animal enclosure areas will have passing places every 10 metres and seating areas.

The buildings in the enclosures will reach up to three metres in height with window frames and fixed safety glass windows for viewing the animals.

The application comes weeks after the trust won permission to make the zoo reception area more wheelchair friendly.

It has drawn five letters of support and no objections.

Trust director Tracey Moore said: "The expansion will allow us to build more animal enclosures and turn the old ones into a new education centre.

"Hundreds of schoolchildren come and visit us so the education centre will be a fantastic new resource."

Last month Shaldon Wildlife Trust was given permission to make alterations to its front entrance so the zoo can admit people confined to wheelchairs or families with children in buggies.

They will now construct a seven-metre concrete ramp to and from the zoo's reception area.

A new L-shaped timber ramp will also be built leading from the reception to the start of the route around the sanctuary.

Ms Moore said: "We have not been wheelchair accessible before. Now it means we can be accessible to all."

The revamp and expansion plans are part of the trust's ambition to double in size.

The £100,000 expansion plan was first revealed in 2007.

"Everyone at the trust is very excited. We have been planning the expansion for such a long time.

"The trust celebrates its silver anniversary next year so it's excellent this is all coming together at the same time."