A VACANT building on a former vehicle sales site in Taunton is being taken on by a car rental business.

Enterprise Rent-a-Car is planning to set up at 29 Priory Bridge Road, previously occupied by Volvo franchise Taunton Motor Company.

The car rental firm has now submitted two planning applications to Somerset West and Taunton Council outlining its proposals for the site.

It is requesting permission to build a single-storey extension with external works and for the display of advertisements.

It is also seeking the go-ahead to instal illuminated directional signs, an internally illuminated fascia sign, an internally illuminated pole sign and a non-illuminated pole sign.

A statement submitted with the planning application says: "The proposals involve the renovation and alterations to the existing garage building into a car rental premises and office.

"The main changes to the existing building include new windows, doors, and roller shutters."

The proposals include plans for an external wash bay canopy and equipment shed that will be "structurally independent of the existing garage building and will not have any intrusive foundations".

The statement adds: "The proposed alterations work within the existing garage building improve its overall appearance and building energy performance.

"The structures to the rear are a similar scale and finish to surrounding industrial units and will have non-intrusive foundations – and propose to be being mechanically fixed into the existing concrete hardstanding."