EIGHT flats and a new shop are proposed for Burnham-on-Sea’s former Job Centre in revised planning permission submitted to Somerset Council.

The building, which dates from 1968 and has been vacant for thirteen years, is situated at the junction between Regent Street and the High Street. Planning permission was previously granted in September 2020, but lapsed owing to Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990, which stipulates that planning permission must start within three years of the approval date.

Documents submitted by Highbridge-based Daniel Fear Architectural Services state that: “The proposal seeks planning permission for the conversion of the ground floor which is currently vacant (former Employment Centre) to retail use (A1) and the provision of eight residential apartments above (resubmission of previously approved scheme).”

The plans outline conversion of the ground floor to retail use to include the display or sale of goods other than hot food, and the first floor to include four one-bedroom flats, and four two-bedroom flats for the open market. Access to the flats would be through a central staircase, with separate external access from the High Street. The proposal also includes bin storage and bicycle storage on the ground floor.

The scheme also includes the replacement and alteration of southern roof structure to tie in with the three storey Regent Street section, to facilitate the residential apartments and deliver a viable scheme.

While there is no confirmation of any potential user for the ground floor retail space, planning documents state that: “Our client remains in commercial discussions to bring forward an end user, subject to securing planning permission for that previously granted.”

The revised planning application can be viewed at the online Planning Portal with reference 11/24/00064 and feedback can be submitted to Somerset Council before the deadline of Tuesday, October 22.