The owners of a derelict restaurant have applied for permission to have it bulldozed amid fears vandals or rough sleepers could spark a major fire in the building.

The former Zest Indian Brasserie, which sits on the corner of a busy junction at the Newcastle Road at Arclid, has been empty for a couple of years.

In December of last year, Cheshire East Council turned down plans for the building to be demolished and replaced with 12 apartments.

(The former Zest. Image: Google)

The grounds for refusal included the new residential development would impair the efficiency of the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescopes, there was no confirmation that the required level of affordable housing would be provided and there were concerns about visibility splays at the proposed access.

The applicant has appealed the decision, although no date appears to have been set for the appeal yet.

In the meantime, a separate application has been submitted to Cheshire East for permission to bulldoze the building to clear the site.

(Photo: Sandbach Nub News)

In the application, the owner states: "Due to anti-social behaviour, rough sleeping and travelling community occupying the site, I have stripped out as much consumable, combustible material as possible, to avoid a major fire and road closure to a major junction leading to the M6."

At the time of writing, two nearby residents have written to the council about the proposal.

One said: "We support the application to demolish the existing pub/restaurant building, but permission to clear the site should not include any clearance of the large wooded area which is adjacent to the car park, and which backs onto our garden.

(Photo: Sandbach Nub News)

"There are many mature trees there which support numerous birds and other wildlife and until a developer can submit plans, acceptable to the council, indicating how it will be incorporated into any future development, the wooded area should be left as it is."

The second objected stating: "Unsuitable position for further development due to position on very busy junction."

The application, number 23/1652C, can be viewed on the planning portal of Cheshire East's website.

The last date for submitting comments is May 31, and the application is due to be determined by a planning officer under delegated authority.