THE Deputy Mayor of Wellington has said that the town centre has more chance of “survival” if there are more people living in it.

Cllr Nancy Powell-Brace told Wellington Town Council’s planning committee on Monday, April 3, that she supported plans for the change of use of office space on the second floor of the old and vacant TUI travel agents building in Fore Street into flats.

The applicants, Hadar Estates, have made two applications – to convert the second-floor into one three-bedroom flat and to also have the option of turning it into two one-bedroom studio flats.

And providing residential accommodation in the town centre quickly got the thumbs-up from Cllr Brace-Powell. “The more people we have living in the town centre the more chance the town centre has of surviving,” she said. 

Cllr Andrew Govier added: “This property is in a terrible state and anything to improve it has got to be good.

“And I agree that more people living in the town centre will help with its future vitality and viability.”

A final decision on the planning application will be determined by the new Somerset Council unitary authority.