DETAILS of a planning application for a retirement flats development in Minehead town centre were being finalised this week ahead of being submitted to Somerset Council.

McCarthy Stone told town councillors it expected to be able to put in an application by the end of February for up to 35 one and two-bedroom apartments on the Co-op supermarket site in The Avenue.

The firm held a public consultation in January running into the beginning of February to hear the views of local residents before finishing its application documents.

The plan is to demolish the existing Co-op, which also houses Minehead Post Office, and build the retirement living block on it with a 21-space car park.

A smaller Co-op convenience store would remain on the site at 3,000 sq ft, a size which would allow it not to be subject to Sunday trading laws, but the future of the Post Office was uncertain.

In a presentation to councillors, the company acknowledged concerns had been raised at a public exhibition that the development would need additional protection from noise, which it said was being addressed.

The retirement home would include shared facilities such as a homeowners’ lounge and guest suite, and access would be from Summerland Avenue.

A new car park with 19 spaces would be provided for the Co-op off the access lane linking The Avenue to the Summerland car park.

The company said the Co-op supermarket would close for up to 18 months while the development was carried out.