THE former Taunton police station is set to be converted into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) – if plans are approved.
Formerly home to the county town’s police team, the station was shut down in 2020, with the town force moving to a space at Deane House.
Now, property development firm Photinia Ltd wants to convert the landmark building, which fronts on to Upper High Street, into 42 en-suite rooms.
The scheme would see 21 rooms created on the ground floor, 18 on the first floor and three on the third floor.
“No external alterations to the building are required,” the application, submitted to Somerset Council by Collier Planning, said.
“Secure bicycle and bin storage will be provided within the single storey former police station garage buildings immediately to the rear of the main building.”
No parking spaces are planned, the application said, due to the building’s town centre location.
Proposed layouts for the building show the rooms laid out, with up to six sharing a kitchen area while most rooms have a ‘lounge’ space, with some simply shown as a single room with en-suite facilities.
For more details on the plan – and to comment – log on to somerset.gov.uk and search fir application reference 38/24/0256.
Hasn’t this been tried before ?
Great idea. At last repurpose pre existing buildings rather than new builds on green land. Fully support this. Won’t need massive infrastructure alterations and will bring positive change to the area.
A nice idea but a big impact on residents in the vicinity due to min 42 cars being parked locally. Totally unacceptable to push this on local community. I live in a street with 19 hmo their are 8 extra cars per property this has forced used to sell up and move.
Er, I suppose the Police will spend more dealing with problems resulting from the type of occupants than they spent there as a Police Station!