PLANS for the conversion of Minehead’s old hospital into a community hub have won the backing of the town council’s planning committee despite reservations about some last-minute changes to the original application.
The committee, meeting on Tuesday, unanimously recommended approval of a change of use and for internal and external alterations, including four apartments.
The two planning applications, submitted by the building’s owners, Minehead Old Town Hall Investments Ltd, will now be considered by West Somerset Council’s planning committee at a future meeting.
After Tuesday’s meeting, Ray Tew, acting chairman of Minehead Development Trust, a partner in the venture, said he was delighted with the result.
“Plans for rescuing and saving this important building are definitely moving forward and there are some exciting times ahead,” he said.
“We thank the committee for recommending that the applications can now go forward to the next stage.”
The proposed changes, first seen by committee members at their meeting, included installing secondary double-glazing, removing modern suspended ceilings and retaining original doors and fittings, but committee member Cllr Les Smith said he found the new plans “particularly difficult to interpret”.
Full report in the Free Press