Plans to convert office space on Fore Street into residential units have been abandoned more than two years after they were first submitted.

Thirty-five Fore Street once served as the council's offices and also housed a financial advice firm, among other businesses. Developers had hoped to turn the space into flats, but the proposals have now been officially withdrawn.

The application to change the use of the listed building was first lodged in November 2021 with James Venton of JV Planning and Building Design acting as an agent for the applicant. The proposals as set out by JV Planning argued that the change of use should be granted because, amongst other things, the retail sector was 'on its knees':

"The proposal seeks the change of use and conversion of this building to residential units of accommodation. The building is centrally located in the town, just outside the primary retail area, and is believed to have originally been constructed as a dwelling house. This proposal would see the building returned to its original use class.

"With Office type development taking place in and around Wellington, meaning that there are plenty of options available to prospective tenants for office space the owners of the building have found the current use in recent times has become less viable. When considering alternative uses, the high street retail sector across the country is literally on its knees, with empty high street shops becoming more of a common sight. Furthermore, the building doesn’t readily lend itself to a retail conversion."

When the proposals went before Wellington Town Council, members of its planning committee recommended that they should be approved. The plans also received no objections from a heritage inspector - though some alterations to the plans were recommended.

Despite support from many quarters - the plans have been dropped - and it appears that concerns over sewage may be to blame.

In a statement made by the former Somerset County Council's Ecology department, it was made clear to the applicant the proposals would not be given further consideration until the developers could show how phosphates would be neutralised.

Phosphates are a byproduct of human waste, and in recent times are said to have been dispersed across the Somerset Levels in such quantities as to pose a threat to wildlife. This prompted a moratorium on residential house building associated with net positive phosphate discharges being issued by Natural England.

These regulations are linked to a number of residential building delays in and around Wellington. Housing developers C G Fry, who are responsible for the Jurston Fields estate, have described the impositions as "potentially catastrophic."

Wellington Town Cllr Wayne Battishill said: "It is a hugely frustrating situation for us because we want to see spaces in the town centre used for desperately needed accommodation.

"Even though this has been an issue for a couple of years now it does not seem that the authorities have been able to come up with a realistic solution to the problem. As a result a lot of homes are not being created."

It is understood works are ongoing at the property at this time which are thought to be preparing it to return to its original use as an office space.