New details of a bid to turn Budleigh Salterton’s former Lloyds Bank into a shop, restaurant and ‘affordable’ homes have been revealed.
Proposals feature five flats and a change of use that would see part of the ground floor of 8 Fore Street designated for multiple uses.
Plans say the scheme will offer a ‘a diverse letting opportunity for future tenants’.
Three parking spaces will be created to the rear of the property.
Applicant Mr S Thornywork has asked East Devon District Council (EDDC) for planning permission to redevelop the building to create four new apartments and alter an existing dwelling.
A change of use is also sought for the ground floor to be used for A1 and A3 purposes, as well as its existing A2 designation.
In planning terms, A1 use comprises shops, A3 incorporates restaurants and cafes and A2 is financial and professional services.
The application states that varying use classes ‘will greatly diversify the existing shops within the town centre and in particular along Fore Street’.
“It is also considered these new businesses will be more appropriate for the site’s location than its current vacant use as a bank and strengthen the link between the town centre and the seafront,” say the plans.
“The proposed new apartments will be of a modest development to provide the local community affordable housing.
“With the retention of the ground-floor commercial unit with the additional A1 and A3 use classes, this will enhance the employment value of the site.
Plans for the ground floor of the premises.
“The proposal seeks to maintain the existing ground-floor shop front with existing class A2 use and proposed A1 and A3 use.
“It is proposed to provide internal alterations to provide a commercial unit, keeping the A2 use class with the additional A1 and A3 use classes to the front of the ground floor.
“To the rear of the ground floor, internal alterations will provide for two apartments.
“The first-floor existing apartment will be altered to provide two apartments with an additional apartment to the second floor.
“The rear courtyard will be cleared to provide three parking spaces.”
The application does not specify how many jobs could be created by potential businesses, or possible opening hours.
The vacant former bank currently has 203sq m designated for financial and professional services.
Under the new scheme, this use would be slashed to 53.6sq m – with the exact same amount of space earmarked for both a shop and eatery apiece.
A pair of one-bedroom and three two-bedroom flats are proposed.
Lloyds – Budleigh’s last remaining permanent bank – closed in January.
