DEVIZES builders Gaigers has applied for permission to turn its old car park and joinery workshop site in Devizes town centre into 19 flats.

Last year the firm held a public consultation to show people what they hoped to achieve with the land that it no longer needs following a move to the former Wadworth building Kennet House and received a mainly favourable response.

Now an application has been made to Wiltshire council for a workshop and warehouse to be demolished and the flats and 21 parking spaces.

An agents report to the council said: "The proposed redevelopment scheme, which would re-use an existing under-utilised, brownfield site and would provide 19 high quality, lower cost residential units within this highly sustainable town centre location, is compatible with the prevailing planning policies at all levels and should be supported."

The report says that loss of employment land is justified by the fact that the move by Gaiger Bros to the old Wadworth site had helped to future prof its business. It says: "In turn this would not only safeguard existing jobs in the town but potentially allow for an expansion of their numbers of employees."

Gaigers also believe that the scheme provides a good use of the land and helps fill an unsightly gap created when other buildings were demolished.

The report says: "We submit that the design scheme provided, represents the best use of this prominent site, and close up an uncharacteristic and unsightly ‘gap site, which is dominated by car parking and a poorly designed building."

The agents said they had listened to feedback from the public and planners to make minor adjustments to the scheme since last year.

Devizes town councillors were largely supportive of the project when the consultation went ahead and were keen for more homes to be built in the town centre on brownfield sites.

Director Graham Gaiger said: "We think we have come up with an attractive scheme for flats. There is a need for more housing in the town centre and if we get planning permission we hope they will be popular."