A HOLIDAY apartment could be transformed into a café on the site of a former West Bay pub.

Tracey Jovanovic has applied to West Dorset District Council to convert a Westpoint apartment on the Esplanade into a café and bistro.

Speaking at Monday night's Bridport plans committee meeting, Ms Jovanovic said: "People struggle to find anywhere to sit and eat.

"The kiosks are fantastic but some people have very specific diets and not everyone wants fish and chips."

She added: "What we would like to do is have a small healthy menu focusing on vegetarian food. We would like to champion local producers.

"Lots of family and friends complain that it's really hard to get a decent cup of coffee."

Town councillors offered no objection to the proposals, at the former Westpoint Tavern site.

The new café would employ up to four full time and 20 part time staff, depending on the season and could be open from 10am until 10pm, seven days a week.

Committee chairman Cllr Sarah Williams, said: "There's quite a few comments online and for once they are supportive.

"I just have a feeling that West Dorset will want them to close early on a Sunday."

Cllr Geoff Ackerman fully supported the plans.

He said: "I have no objections at all in terms of this. I don't think it will upset anyone in West Bay for any café or coffee house.

"There's plenty of people about with the finishing of Broadchurch and I don't think there's anything wrong with it really."

Cllr Dave Rickard supported the idea, but pointed out a potential issue with the kitchen extractor disturbing nearby residents.

He said: "The only issue would be down to extraction.

"If you have holiday apartments above, they would need to be protected."

In the applicant's design and access statement, Paul Dance said: "The extract ventilation system fitted to deal with cooking smells, fumes and steam produced by cooking will be designed to prevent or minimise any nuisance caused to neighbours."

The change of use application will be considered by West Dorset District Council. Members of the public have until Friday (28) to comment on the proposals online at dorsetforyou.gov.uk