Old fire station could make way for new flats

The old station could be torn down and replaced with flats

An old fire station could be demolished to make way for a block of flats if plans are approved.

Chewton Place Developments Ltd is hoping to build 21 flats over four storeys on the site of Keynsham's former fire station.

The Avon Fire and Rescue Service moved out of the station on Temple Street and into the Hick's Gate station in 2016 and the building has been vacant ever since.

The flats would be "senior living units" for people over 55, and include a mix of studio apartments, and one and two bedroom flats for one to four people.

'Transform the site'

A statement submitted with the application warned that the current empty building was "an unattractive part of Keynsham", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It said: "The proposed development will transform the site to create a high-quality new development with landscaping and public realm improvements at its heart."

It continued to say this would incorporate a continuation of the Market Walk public realm between the Civic Centre to the Riverside development for pedestrians and cyclists.

There would also be a commercial space on the ground floor "to contribute to town centre business opportunities".

The statement added: "At a time when town centres are facing major challenges related to long-term consumer trends and long-run economic challenges and pressures on household budgets, it is important that the focus is on supporting the continued occupation of existing premises and re-occupation of those that are vacant."

A consultation was held with the public in November and the plans are now live on Bath and North East Somerset Council's planning portal.