PLANS to close a town centre restaurant and turn it into housing and shop space have been given the thumbs up by the town council.

Bridport Town Council offered no objection to proposals to redevelop Spice in South Street. The applicant has submitted plans to West Dorset District Council for change of us from a restaurant and takeaway into retail space, two flats and one house.

Leader of Bridport Town Council, Cllr Sarah Williams, was re-elected as chairman of the plans committee at Monday's meeting.

She said: "What they want to do is turn the bottom of it into a shop and then have a flat above the shop and a two story two bedroom house behind what is already accommodation.

"The conservation officer has given remarks on it which are minded to pass it, based on conditions.

"There is one letter of objection from a neighbour about a window overlooking."

The design and access statement was prepared by Robbie Roskell on behalf of the applicant.

He said: "The existing building will be renovated as part of the conversion scheme with particular attention to the rear of the main building. The main building materials will remain as they are at present.

"Access to the site from South Street is limited to pedestrians only. A door on the street frontage of the building will give access to the shop and a passage which leads to an access door for the first floor apartment. Further down this passage is the access to the house to the house on the rear of the main building and the converted building at the end of the garden."

Cllr Dave Rickard spoke out in support of the application.

He added: "Given the comments from the officers, I couldn't see much wrong with it, other than I won't be able to buy stuff from the takeaway anymore.

"Overlooking has been highlighted by a neighbour."

Councillors raised no objection to the plans, which will be considered by the district council. Members of the public can have their ay on the proposals by visiting dorsetforyou.com