PLANS have been submitted by The George Hotel in Highbridge to convert two floors of the hotel into flats. 

The proposals, submitted to Sedgemoor District Council on December 21 set out plans to convert the first and second floors of the hotel from hotel guest bedrooms to four flats and convert and extend the ground and first floor of the property from a hotel and shop to a shop showroom and store. 

The owners submitted a planning application at the end of last year for the hotel to be used as a furniture shop. 

The plans were approved by Sedgemoor District Council last week much to the delight of owners, Matt and Emily Stott.

Matt said: "It is fantastic to be moving another step forwards in having the change of use granted on the historic George Hotel. 

"Our next milestone will be the full planning permission for the build. 

"Work has now commenced on the site to make the construction site safe and we have begun to peel back the layers of history in the building. 

"During this phase of the project we get to decide what should be restored and what we should seal back up for future generations to find. 

"The next visible step will be at the beginning of March when we install scaffolding in order to replace the leaking roofs. 

"Emily and I can't wait to open up the store and we hope it can be a big step towards rejuvenating Highbridge town centre."

Comments from members of the public and interested parties are welcome on the application until January 25.