PLANS have been submitted to convert two floors of retail storage space into seven flats in Bridgwater town centre.

The first and second floors at 2 Eastover were previously used for preparation and storage by Flowers International, which relocated to High Street in April.

The florist's move also left a ground floor retail space vacant. That has already been given planning permission to become a takeaway.

Now, a change of use application has been submitted that would see the first and second floors repurposed for residential use.

The applicant, Mr A Ulgut, also wants to build a ground floor extension to create a new entrance and provide a bin facility for residents.

Flowers International left Eastover behind in April.Flowers International left Eastover behind in April. (Image: Flowers International)

Outlining the proposal, the planning statement says: “There is a real threat that the upper floors will be left empty and will become derelict.

“Accordingly, it is proposed to convert them into seven residential flats, with a new ground floor entrance on the south side of the property.

“All of these flats are to be spacious and well in excess of minimum space standards.

“All have a good amount of storage as well as having access to a communal bike store.

“Kitchen accommodation is ample and the provision of light and views is generous.

“Common parts giving access to the flats are also spacious and not dark or dingy in any way.”

The proposed first floor plan.The proposed first floor plan. (Image: Planning documents)

If the plans go ahead, few changes would be made to the building externally.

The windows would be moved to a lower height to improve the view from the flats, and the “existing tired white plastic boarding will be altered with new light blue cement-based timber effect boarding” to “give the building a maritime feel”.

There is no space for residents' parking but there are amenities and public transport within walking distance, including the railway station and shuttle bus to the Hinkley Point park-and-ride service.

The applicant says turning the space into flats will “guarantee the building is occupied and maintained into the future”.

He argues there is already a lot of office space available in Bridgwater and “few takers”, making it difficult to justify converting it into a work space.

You can read the proposals in full on the Somerset Council planning portal (application number 08/24/00077).