Planning permission has been granted for a terrace of three houses at the rear of the former NatWest bank in Axminster.

The development will include the demolition of an "ugly", single-storey extension at the rear of the former bank, which closed down in 2017, and the development of three three-bedroom houses on an un-used and overgrown area of land.

The houses will be two-storey facing onto the neighbouring NCP car park, and the application says the design of the houses will "reflect the design and character of buildings in the area".

It adds that the development will provide three houses "at an affordable price within the centre of the town in a highly sustainable location".

It is intended for the ground floor of the former bank to be brought back into "active town centre use" and continue use of the upper floors at flats.

Second approval for Coombe Lane houses

Permission has also been granted a second time for two houses to replace garages in Coombe Lane, Axminster.

Permission was initially granted in 2016 but this has since expired. East Devon District Council have now given permission again for two houses to be built on a site which currently houses eight "unattractive" garages in poor condition.

The proposed houses will probably be constructed of rendered blockwork and cladding under slated roofs complimenting the surrounding buildings in the conservation area. They will each have a parking space outside.

Changes to development on police station site

Permission has also been granted to change previously-approved plans for eight new homes of the site of the former police station in Lyme Close, changing three of the proposed houses from two-bed, two-storey dwellings to three-bed, three storey dwelling, altering the heigh and pitch of roofs.

Other planning applications which have recently received approval include the following:

Constructions of a single-storey rear extension, new door opening and ground floor, and replacement of ground floor window with French doors at Pennsylvania Farm House, Lodge Lane; construction of single-storey rear extension and Pennsylvania Farm House, Lodge Lane; cleaning, re-cutting damaged letters, repointing and patching of war memorial at St Mary's Church, West Street; replacement of one external illuminated fascia sign at Axminster Tool Centre, Trafalgar Way.

The redevelopment of Trinity House, in Trinity Square, from a single department store to separate units comprising four shops, one cafe and workspace and one office - work on which is already well underway - has also now received planning approval.

Expansion to proposed micro-pub

A proposed micro-pub in Axminster town centre, which was granted planning permission in July, now has plans to expand into a neighbouring retail unit.

An application to change the use of Unit 4 at St George's in Chard Street - a former department store now split into separate units - from retail to a micro-pub was previously granted by East Devon District Council and the applicant now hopes to expand their new business into the neighbouring Unit 2, which runs across the back of Unit 4 and fronts Victoria Place.

Following the planning approval in July, the landlord of the wider building offered the rear storeroom in Unit 2 to form an extension of the micropub, which will help the business to meet social distancing guidelines and table service requirements which are expected to stay in place after lockdown.

Concerns were raised during the consideration of the previously approved micro-pub in relation to the size and "constrained layout of the unit", and its ability to function as a micro-pub without adverse effect on amenity and the safety of both customers and members of the public, and it is hoped that the expansion will address these issues.

Unit 4 has remained vacant for 12 months and the landlord had indicated that it is difficult to find a tenant for Unit 2 due to the size and layout of the space. It is currently housing the pop-up Cards for Good Causes shop until Christmas.

The application acknowledges that the site is located immediately opposite the George Hotel but said the the proposed change to the approved micro-pub is "unlikely to have an adverse impact on that business as it would provide a small-scale drinking establishment whereas the George Hotel provides a very different business offering to its customers including restaurant food and overnight accommodation".

The micro-pub would continue to offer a completely different range of beers and ciders to that to that of The George Hotel and would not serve food.

Other planning applications currently under consideration in the Axminster area include the following:

Raising of roof and installation of four side roof light to allow loft conversion at Labrador, Cooks Lane; formation of two bin stores at Ridgeway Court; formation of bin stores at Bonners Causeway; construction of single-storey side/rear extension, two dormer windows to allow loft conversion, and detached carport/garage with workshop above and external steps at Axehill, Chard Road.

Full details of all the above applications can be found on the East Devon District Council planning site