PRIOR approval is being sought to convert first floor office units into four one bedroom flats in Weston.

The application, which was validated on Monday, January 8, concerns offices 5-6 on the first floor of 141 Milton Road.

Residents of the new flats would be able to use the existing car parking spaces on site.

All of the ground floor shops and utilities, which includes a Co-op convenience store and a Vets 4 Pets Veterinary Surgery, will remain unchanged. There is also a dental surgery in the northwest corner of the site in a separate detached building, which won't be impacted by the plans.

The application's planning history document reads: "Suites 1-2-3 were let to Edwards and Ward from June 2012 until June 2018.

"They were a catering company providing school meals. Milton Road was the admin Centre, and food production was carried out in the school kitchens. Suite 4 was let to a software company from June 2012 until June 2015.

"The offices have otherwise been unoccupied other than suite 4 for 12 months from February 2016 to February 2017 when Annette Livingstone Associates used this suite.

"The vacant suites have been marketed by Stephen and Co Weston-super-Mare since September 2016, continually when vacant with few serious enquiries. The office accommodation has been vacant in its entirety since February 2017. 

"The proposal is to convert the offices to 3 or 4 C3 residential flats. It is considered they are likely to be one bed units at this stage although detailed design and plans would follow with any full planning application.

"Existing access to the first floor would be resited slightly on the north elevation in order to achieve a straight communal corridor access to all flats.

"Existing openings will be utilised where possible to ensure minimal disruption to the elevations of the building at first floor level. All existing ground floor shops and facilities will remain unchanged.

"Dedicated parking spaces will be allocated to the new flats in the rear north car park area which is the previous office parking area. There are currently 16 spaces in this rear parking area."