THIS image shows how a riverside development of retirement flats could look.

Planners last night conditionally approved the homes on the former Lidl site in Taunton.

The scheme off Wood Street will consist of 72 apartments - 51 one-bedroom and 21 two-bedroom.

A previous application by Churchill Retirement Living had been turned down last August.

The former Lidl store on the site was demolished shortly after it closed in December 2015, when a new outlet was opened 100 metres down the road.

The site has remained vacant ever since.

Churchill regional managing director James Barnes said: "I’d like to thank everyone who has helped towards achieving this very positive result.

"There is a compelling overall housing need in Taunton and the surrounding area, especially for older people, and our site is in a highly sustainable and accessible location for a new development of this kind, so we believe this decision is good news for the town.

"Allowing older people to downsize will also help free up more homes for families and younger people in the local area.”