The former caretaker’s house at Devizes School is to be demolished.

Devizes architect Howard Waters and his business partner Duncan Mathewson’s planning application to build five duplex apartments, six car parking spaces, an office and coffee shop on the site has been granted by Wiltshire Council.

The former caretaker’s house is boarded up and is next to Devizes Leisure Centre.

Objections had been made by Devizes Town Council which believed the scheme would be an overdevelopment of the site and there were insufficient parking spaces.

Jay Hookins, the manager of the leisure centre, also objected on the grounds that residents of the new apartments may object to the leisure centre expanding in any way, and visitors to the new development may use the leisure centre’s parking.

However, planning officer Rob Parker dismissed these fears and said: “The proposal would benefit the leisure centre by providing a coffee shop for its customers and improving security when the centre is closed.

“It is not considered that the development would hinder the operation of the leisure centre and future proposals for expansion.

“There are genuine issues surrounding car parking, but it should be recognised that many of the trips to the coffee shop will be linked with the leisure centre.”