A new Airbnb guest house will be opening in Shepton Mallet after planners gave the proposals their backing.

The planning application for the change of use from C3 dwellinghouse to C1 guest house at 35 Board Cross, Shepton Mallet, by Rebecca Pocock has been approved by Mendip District Council planners.

The property is currently empty after the last tenants moved out in January and the owners would like to begin work to refurbish this into a holiday let as soon as possible.

Their application said: "This wouldn't include any structural changes that would fall outside of permitted development.

"This is a small two-bedroom property, with its own off-street parking, and is not listed. We want to be able to let this as an entire holiday cottage all year round through Airbnb.

"We believe there is a high demand for this type of holiday accommodation in Shepton Mallet and granting the change of use will help improve the stock of affordable holiday accommodation.

"We believe that we will be able to market ourselves well and attract tourists, walkers, cyclists, festival-goers, wedding guests and holiday-makers to the area all-year round."

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been submitted this week to Mendip District Council include:

Single storey rear extension to replace existing conservatory at 89 Finch Close, Shepton Mallet, has been applied for by Miss Alex Thorne.

Erection of fence and gated access at Tandridge, Broadway, Chilcompton, has been applied for by Mr Michael Morgan.

Single new self-build exception site dwelling on land south east of Cutlers Cottage, Totterdown Lane, Pilton, has been applied for by Mr Jason Turner.

Alterations to existing access at 16 Charlton Road, Shepton Mallet, are wanted by Ms L Buckler.

New skirting, new floor finishes, decorated joinery, installation of a stud wall, removal of unoriginal gas fireplace, replacement of some radiators, the division of a bathroom in to two en-suites, closing up an upstairs external doorway, centralising stair light, removal of non original studwork and redundant flue in bedroom four, local repairs to roof, repointing walls and the removal of ground floor reception room panelling at Parsonage House, Back Lane, Croscombe, have been applied for by Mr and Mrs Andrew and Sarah Fice.

Erection of two storey detached dwellinghouse at The Batch, Highcroft Lane, Binegar, is wanted by Mr and Mrs Tim and Diane Gregory.

Application for a non-material amendment to permission 2020/0225/HSE for the change of roof to a dual apex structure at 14 Nightingale Grove, Shepton Mallet, has been made by Mr Philip Stevens.

Approval of details reserved by condition 4 (Materials - submission of details), condition 7 (Wildlife Protection and Enhancement) and condition 8 (External Lighting) on planning consent 2019/1768/FUL at Manor Farm, Farm Lane, East Compton, has been applied for by Mr William Allard.

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area decided this week by Mendip District Council include:

Erection of six dwellings, creation of access and parking areas (Revised access layout and inclusion of traffic calming measures, submitted under drawing number 18420B/200 Rev A) on land east of the Redan Inn, Wells Road, Chilcompton, has been refused.

Hedgerow removal required to improve the health and safety for construction vehicles in and out of the reservoir site and will be replanted once works completed on land at Prestleigh Hill, Prestleigh, by Mr Nick Spellissy has been approved. As has their application for hedgerow removal of 10m section required to enable construction vehicle access as part of the wider scheme to construct a reservoir to the west of the existing on land at Paradise Lane, Croscombe.

Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (flooding - infiltration testing), 4 (drainage - foul), on planning consent 2019/2964/VRC at Thrupe House, Thrupe Lane, Masbury, by Rupert Page has been approved.

Application to vary condition 2 (drawings) of planning approval 2017/2952/FUL (Replacement of a barn previously approved for residential conversion with a new dwelling) on plot east of Honeysuckle Cottage, Bodden Lane, Bodden, by Mr A Stott has been approved.

Conversion of barn to a dwelling at Manor Farm, Longleat Lane, Holcombe, by Mr and Mrs R Buckingham has been approved.

Demolition of existing rear extension and erection of a rear two storey extension at 20 Green Street, Ston Easton, by Mr Tom Blanchard has been approved.

Erection of single storey link extension to dwelling between house and annexe at Long Batch, Wraxall Road, Ditcheat, by Mr and Mrs Tony Pearse has been approved.

Non-material amendment to permission 2017/3282/FUL (Proposed new vehicular access and erection of car port and garage) at Highcroft, Bruton Road, Evercreech, by Mr and Mrs Corney has been approved.