Plans by Somerset Skills and Learning (SS&L) to change the former Shepton Mallet Tourist Information Centre into an education site, have been approved by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for the change of use of the building from Tourist Information Centre (sui generis) to Education Services (F1(a)) at 70 High Street, Shepton Mallet, had been submitted by Andy Hobbs on behalf of SS&L.

This summer SS&L are planning on opening the new training centre in Shepton Mallet, providing the local and wider community with courses and workshops to help improve lives through learning.

The ex-TIC building has been unused for some time. It's undergoing extensive refurbishment and will boast a state-of-the-art training room.

Shepton Mallet will be SS&L's fifth centre in Somerset, together with Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil and Frome.

SS&L will prioritise its focus on learners yet to achieve a Level 2 qualification, which is 43 per cent of residents in Shepton West, 34.7 per cent in Shepton East, and 20 per cent in Croscombe and Pilton.

This priority area will include those yet to achieve English and maths at Level 2 and will focus on

progressions to higher level qualifications and apprenticeships.

The SS&L application said: "Our community learning offer will focus on engaging learners least likely to take up a learning opportunity and re-engage residents in learning; raising career and learning aspirations.

"This is a targeted offer and will prioritise the 29 per cent of residents living in the most deprived areas across Shepton Mallet."

In approving the proposals, Mendip's planning officer report said: "This application would see a redundant and unoccupied building within the town centre boundary, developed to provide a community service, therefore it does not involve the loss of a town centre use.

"The proposal does not include any external works, only internal works. Therefore, the proposal by reason of its design, siting, scale, massing, layout and materials is acceptable and contributes and responds to the local context and maintains the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

"The application site falls within the town centre boundary of Shepton Mallet, there are a mixture of commercial uses adjacent to the application site down High Street to the north; these properties habitually have residential properties above.

"To the east along Park Street are a number of detached houses but the public highway provides an adequate separation of the uses.

"The application site is therefore, seen in the context of the commercial uses around it and the introduction of a F1(a) Education use here, would have no greater impact upon neighbouring or occupant amenity than previous uses.

"The change of use would see a currently vacant town centre building utilised and only requires internal works to facilitate the change.

"The proposal would result in a use which is considered to attract trade and provide a service to the local community."