Nether Stowey former salon will become Hinkley C accomodation

The Courtyard Shop - an ancillary building attached to 28 Castle Street in Nether Stowey - has been vacant since last being used as a salon in 2019.

In June, Mr G Hodgson applied to make alterations to the listed building, and turn it into ancillary/holiday accomodation.

In the 'low season', it is planned that the property will be used to house workers from the nearby Hinkley Point C power station.

The applicant wrote: "During the low season the property may be used to host colleagues from the power station.

"However, the main aim will be to maximise the offering to holiday makers."

Somerset Council approved the plans on Tuesday, June 16, and affirmed that the building must 'not be occupied as a person’s sole or main residence.'

The planned renovations are said to only affect the building's interior, which the applicant will convert to become a new one-bedroom flat.

"The Courtyard Shop will be converted to a one-bedroom holiday accommodation, which would be in keeping with the nature of the main house, which was run as a bed and breakfast in the past," the applicant wrote.

"The holiday accommodation would add to the nature of the village and allow more tourists to stay in Nether Stowey and support the local economy.

"With two shops, two pubs and a butchers in the village, the holiday let would be well sustained by the local facilities."

The planning application states that there has been 'no negative reactions' to the proposals, which were put to neighbours of the building before being submitted to Somerset Council.

Renovation plans for the site include a new electricity supply, loft insulation, electric heating and hot water, a new floor, secondary glazing to the existing windows, as well as a wet room, and kitchen/dining area.

More information on the plans can be found by searching reference 36/23/00023 on Somerset Council's online planning portal.