EXMOOR residents will have a new community shop and post office, if plans are approved by Somerset West and Taunton Council planners.

The new single-storey building would adjoin the Ralegh’s Cross Inn at the junction of the B3224 and the B3190. Existing shops are either seven miles away in Wiveliscombe or five miles distant in Williton.

The new shop and Post Office would measure approximately 19.5m x 7.6m under a natural slate roof and would provide a retail area of 88.2 metres.

The applicants’ agent, Ilfracombe architectural consultants David Birch Associates, said: "With the lack of public services in the local area, the proposal will provide a welcome benefit situated as it is within an existing commercial establishment with good vehicular access."

There would be customer parking spaces and electric car-charging points would be provided.

Opened in the 1830s, the Ralegh’s Cross Inn was a favourite with miners working in the nearby iron-ore mines.