CHANGES could be made to Minehead's Duke of Wellington pub if plans are approved.

An application has been submitted to alter the JD Wetherspoon pub in Wellington Square, following the closure of the adjoining nightclub Lloyds No1 Bar.

The bar closed with a final party held on New Years Eve.

To make the best use of the space, the applicants are planning to remove the old nightclub structures and instead introduce a beer garden and new toilets.

A spokesman said: "The proposed alterations to the building, the subject of this application will not touch the main body of the public house, but rather will remove the newer roof terrace at the rear of the pub and the roof of the adjoining out houses. Allowing for a larger ground floor beer garden to be created.

"These alterations will not be easily visible from Wellington Square Only from St Andrews Lane, a low traffic back street behind the pub and church, will a visible impact be seen, which will be the partial removal of the roof of the southern out house, which would be more beneficial as it will allowing more light to access the lane.

"The upper floors will not be affected by the works thus retaining this building and its façade in the existing primary street scene of the Wellington square and Bampton Street."

The design would see the removal of the bar at the rear of the pub, as well as the former dance floor area.

An open beer garden would replace the former nightclub area.

More female toilets will be added in a large space on the first floor, replacing current offices.

The spokesman added: "The new scheme would enhance accessibility as the new beer garden will have step free access unlike the existing terrace which requires the ascension of steps.

"The proposals may potentially attract more visitors to Minehead as the Duke Wellington is a prominent hotel in the town and improvement of its outside facilities will increase its attraction .

"The scheme will provide enhanced and more efficient customer space, with finishes to the high standards currently provided by the applicant’s existing public house premises.

"The applicant will invest a considerable sum in the repair of existing buildings, as well as new enlarged and improved customer toilets."

Somerset West and Taunton Council will now consider the plans before making a decision.

Search reference number 3/21/19/065 on the council's planning section to view the plans.