Councillors have supported plans for a building project to be carried out at a residential care home for adults with disabilities in Wellington.

A proposal has been put forward to the Somerset West and Taunton Council for an area of courtyard at Drake’s Place in Taunton Road to be infilled with a communal lounge building.

Drake’s Place is a 26-bed service for adults with a learning or physical disability and the main part of the building dates from the 18th century and is Grade II listed, while two extensions are separated by a courtyard.

But the plan will see the courtyard become a new lounge and activity room for residents and create an internal link between the extensions.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s planning committee supported the application when they met via Zoom video conferencing technology at their latest meeting.

Cllr Mark Lithgow said: “I do support this – they are filling in an empty courtyard.”

And Cllr John Thorne added: “They are looking to improve the quality of life for the residents there.”

The application gained unanimous support from the planning committee, although a final decision rests with the district council.