A planning application has been submitted to convert part of the former Gazette & Herald office in Devizes into three apartments.

The office, in the Market Place, was closed by the Gazette’s owners Newsquest in January this year due to the challenging economic situation.

Clenche Properties, run by Geoffrey and Rosemary Taylor and based in Bromham, has applied to change the office space on the first and second floor into two apartments, while a third apartment would be created at attic level.

The ground floor would remain as office space and the planning application proposes knocking down an extension at the rear of the ground-floor office to create a courtyard.

The staircase would become a communal access opening out to all three apartments.

Two of the apartments would have two bedrooms while the other would have one bedroom.

The building dates from the early 19th century and is Grade II listed.

A derelict building at the back of the office, which used to house the Gazette’s printing press, is also owned by Clenche Properties and the planning application states that this building will be the subject of a future planning application.