Plans to develop disused warehousing space on North Street into homes have been lodged with the aim of safeguarding the future of the Victoria Arms.

The applicant, Mr J Elstub, is requesting permission to convert old warehousing space to form five new two bedroom homes with an extension into the car park.

In a statement submitted by Bro Architecture to Somerset West and Taunton council, Mr Elstub said: "The car parking loss will have no effect on the pub as being a town centre pub 99 per cent of my customers walk here, the only people that use it are my neighbours, people visiting shops up town or people going for food at the Wetherspoons there is free parking after 6 at the council car park which is 30 seconds away.

"Any of my customers that do drive here for skittles, pool etcetera usually use that anyway as they can’t get in for the reasons I listed above.

"This is our 20th year in the pub and it looks like it could be our hardest one, with all the rising gas, electric, beer and wages, the idea behind the houses is to try supplement the income for the pub as we may not make any profit (or very little) this year as people tighten their purse strings.

We are hoping to either rent out fully per month or maybe even try the air B&B option but we are determined to try keep the pub going even if it is just breaking even for the next year or so and then using the income from the houses to live on."

If permitted, the proposed works would see the number of car parking spaces reduced by three with the remaining space being used for a bin store, cycle store and car parking for the new homes.

The application will be decided by the new unitary Somerset council which will come into existence on April 1 taking over responsibilities including planning from the district council.

Public consultation will be heard until April 7, with a decision due to be arrived at by May 9. Comments on the proposals can be registered via the council's website.