PLANS have been submitted to demolish a Grade-II listed building on Warminster High Street.

The building, near the junction with Weymouth Street has been empty for many years and has "suffered from significant water ingress", a situation exacerbated by the theft, in several areas, of lead from the roof.

The application is to replace the derelict listed building, which has stood on the high street since 1731, will see it replaced by a new shop, five flats and six houses.

A single ground floor shop is proposed to maintain the street level commercial usage at ground floor level, and the remainder of the building would consist of five two bedroom flats with a shared entrance and access stairwell, three two bedroomed houses, each with three floors proposed to the rear and attached to the frontage building following the historic pattern of development on the site.

Three new houses are proposed to the rear of Curfew Cottage.

The documents state: "The scale and detailing of these houses reflects their location near the Chapel, they have been designed to appear as traditional almshouse type buildings."

The plans have received great support from some residents.

The applicants said: "The loss of the original building is something to be greatly regretted. Major efforts have been made to retain it but it has proven impossible to achieve.

"There is considerable pressure from local politicians, neighbours and the wider Warminster public to remove the current eyesore and avoid an increasingly dangerous situation. The design proposals will result in a new phase in the site’s history and will provide a significant improvement to the setting of the historic church and the appearance of the High Street."

Resident Kay Norris said: “Please, please allow the demolition and rebuilding of 3 High Street, Warminster. The people of Warminster are sick to death of the ‘Eyesore’ of the scaffolding which makes our lovely town look very shabby.

"I believe it has been like it since 2007 and is an absolute disgrace. We need to know that Wiltshire Council are as concerned as the residents of the town.”

The consultation ends on October 5, and the plans have been drawn up by Rosebray Developments Ltd.

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