Old Job Centre in Yeovil to make way for apartment block?

PLANS have been unveiled to demolish the old Job Centre in Yeovil and replace it with a block of apartments and offices.

Berkeley Leisure Group Ltd has applied to South Somerset District Council for planning permission to go-ahead with the project at The Park in Yeovil.

The plans include demolishing the existing Telford House and then building on the vacant site which sits on the corner of The Park and Clarence Street close to The Armoury pub.

Documents suggest that office accommodation will be provided on the ground floor of the new building along with two apartments, with a further 12 apartments on the upper two floors.

The proposals include plans for five one-bedroom apartments and nine two-bedroom apartments.

The plans say that vehicle access will be via the existing entrance to the site off The Park and will exit onto Clarence Street.

A spokesman for the applicants said: ‘’It is intended to provide an electronic barrier system within the development so that an ‘in and out’ system is operated.

‘’This application has been the result of discussions with officers of South Somerset District Council.

‘’It is neither practical nor viable for the existing building to be retained or converted.

‘’The replacement development is visually appropriate for this prominent corner site and would not be detrimental to the amenity of nearby properties.’’

Telford House was originally built as a Telephone Exchange but was subsequently used as offices including the Job Centre.

The building has been available on the market since September 2011. The Berkeley Leisure Group bought the property with vacant possession in June 2012 and instructed Edmonds Commercial to seek tenants.

But a spokesman for Edmonds Commercial said an extensive marketing campaign had been carried out and resulted in four viewing which failed to reach a positive outcome due to ‘layout and servicing constraints.’

The ‘viewings’ involved Yeovil Family Church, a bank, a National Health Service administration team and recruitment agency Morson Wynnwith.

Yeovil’s Job Centre, meanwhile, can be found in Hendford.

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