Six flats could be created above town centre shops.

A change of use application has been submitted to Dorset Council for the corner building of 11 East Street and 3 Downes Street, Bridport. The ground floor retail space used to be home to the Co-operative bank.

The plans include creating six self-contained one-bed flats with a new entrance porch and door onto the East Street side of the corner building.

The application, from London-based company Lewis Barker & Associates, asks for a change of use to the listed 11 East Street to convert two of the upper floors from offices to residential and to make alterations to the ground floor frontage to East Street to provide a new entrance for the flats. The existing shop fronts will remain in place.

It also states that there will be no parking provision as it is a town centre site with 'easy access' to public transport and local car parks.

Consultation on the application remains open until October 15, with a decision expected to be made, under delegated powers, by a planning officer.

It comes weeks after a separate application - from a different company - was submitted to Dorset Council seeking to build 13 new flats and convert four more at 13 East Street - the building which houses Peacocks.

CPLC Associates wants to demolish the current lower back part of the building to make way for a new building housing two flats on the ground floor, six on both the first and second floors and three on a third floor.

But Bridport Town Council, and other consultees, strongly objected to those plans as it felt the potential loss of Peacocks would be 'completely unacceptable' and 'undermine the vibrancy of Bridport town centre.'

A petition containing 172 signatures from members of the public opposing the plans was presented at a town council planning meeting, when councillors said they stood with the local community whose representations and petition demonstrated 'overwhelming' local opposition. They did say that the type of development, in a different location and addressing the other concerns they highlighted – in particular affordable housing - could have some merit.

A decision on that application is expected to be made by a Dorset Council planning officer.

Submit your views on 11 East Street at dorset.gov.uk