A PLANNING application has been submitted to turn a former bank building into flats.

The building, which previously housed NatWest, in Fore Street, has been empty since the bank's closure in October 2017.

The applicant, Hawkings Property Ltd, has applied to Somerset West and Taunton Council to turn the building into seven flats with ground-floor offices and a car parking area to the rear.

The building has been a grade II listed building since 1976 and is thought to date back to the mid-Victorian era, circa 1850-1880.

A spokesperson for the applicant said: "Consistent with the current trend of bank branch closures, Natwest Bank have vacated the property at 12 Fore Street, leaving a substantial building unused, with the potential to join the burgeoning cluster of existing boarded up shops in Wellington town centre.

"The proposal retains the historically important existing front elevation unaltered, except for routine maintenance like decorating joinery and adjusting a doorway to accommodate a disabled ramp.

"The proposed development would have a minimal impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding Conservation Area and Listed Building. There will be minimal change to the fabric or appearance of the building’s key feature – the front elevation, and its historic character will be retained.

"The appearance of the building from the street scene would remain largely as existing, and the maintenance and restoration of dilapidated and deteriorating features will only serve to improve the building to the rear aspect."

An online consultation is running on the council's website until May 22 for people to submit their views.

Town and county councillor, John Thorne, has voiced his support for the plans, stating it would bring an 'important' building back into use.

He said: "I support the application because it will bring back into use an important but currently redundant town centre building, helping to sustain life and vitality in the commercial heart of Wellington.

"The plans are sympathetic to the heritage of the building and the conservation area, and will not have any negative impact on the character of the street scene. The development will provide much needed residential accommodation without losing more greenfield land to do so."

He added a similar scheme which has taken place at the former HSBC building elsewhere in the town, and that he would like to see the addition of an electric vehicle charging point.

To view or comment on the plans search reference number 43/20/0043 on the planning section of Somerset West and Taunton Council's website.