A FORMER job centre which has lain derelict for more than a decade could be turned into a shop and apartments if plans are approved.

A planning application has been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council to change the use of the former Burnham-on-Sea Job Centre in High Street and Regent Street into a new convenience store and eight apartments.

The former job centre closed its doors in March 2008 and has remained derelict for 12 years.

In 2018 Burnham and Highbridge Town Council applied for £1million of grant funding from the Coastal Community Fund to turn the former job centre into a community centre but the bid was rejected.

If approved a convenience store will be based on the ground floor of the building and four one bedroom flats and four two bedroom flats on the first and second floors.

In a Design and Access statement a spokesperson for the developer said: "The development will deliver a mix of retail and residential development which aligns with the council’s strategic direction for growth and as supported by national planning policy guidance.

"The design is appropriate in its context and would not give rise to any demonstrable harm to the streetscape, conservation area or residential amenity and is therefore consistent with the policies of the Development Plan."

Comments are welcome on the application until September 1.

For more details or to view the application visit www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/planning and search for 11/20/00066