A FORMER bookshop in Wellington town centre could be converted into a home if planning permission is allowed.

An application has been made to Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) for confirmation that the conversion can happen without the need for a planning application.

Planning consultant Darren Addicott, of APW Planning, said the upstairs of the property in South Street was already in use as a flat.

It was now proposed to also convert the ground floor of the building into a one-bedroom flat.

Mr Addicott said only minor internal alterations were needed and there would not be any changes to the outside of the building.

He said although the empty shop was within Wellington’s conservation area the flat conversion would not have any impact on the appearance of the street scene.

The bookshop closed more than 12 years ago and the premises were last used by Nurtured by Nature before the business moved further along South Street.

SWT planning officer Denise Todd has set a target date of March 29 to decide the issue, and is not opening the application to any public consultation because it is exempt.