A FORMER vehicle showroom on the outskirts of Taunton could be converted into a pharmacy, a children's centre and a convenience store.

A full planning application has been submitted for the proposals at the former Land Rover premises on Bridgwater Road, Bathpool.

The scheme, which will be considered by planners at Somerset West and Taunton Council, would serve as community facilities for expanding Monkton Heathfield, where thousands of homes have been built.

The applicant, Churchill Land LLP, wants to use part of the existing premises for the convenience store and the children's nursery, with an external garden area.

A rear single storey extension would be demolished and replaced with a single storey structure to house the pharmacy.

That building would be constructed using the steel frame from the demolished building.

There would be parking for 30 cars and a delivery drop-off bay

The 0.6-acre site has been vacant since the Land Rover dealership relocated to Priory Way, Taunton.

It previously featured the Land Rover showroom and a servicing/maintenance department.

The freehold of the property currently belongs to Helston Garages Ltd.

The proposals were originally revealed on a website earlier this year.

A spokesperson said at the time: he website says: "A solution is needed to provide the site with a new lease of life to benefit the local economy and the surrounding community.

"We are preparing a full planning application to provide a mix of community facilities at the former Land Rover site.

"The scheme includes a children’s nursery, a pharmacy and a ‘walk in’ convenience store to serve the Monkton Heathfield community.

"This new mix of community facilities would also generate employment opportunities for local people."

The initial plans said the convenience store could operate seven days a week from 6am to 11pm; the pharmacy would open 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday; and the nursery would operate from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday.