A planning application has been submitted to Mendip District Council for the conversion of the skittle alley at the George Inn, Croscombe, into letting bedrooms.

The application for the conversion of the skittle alley to three letting bedrooms and a laundry room, and open terrace extensions to the south elevation at the George Inn, Long Street, Croscombe, has been submitted by Peter Graham.

The application states that the use of the skittle alley has declined over the past 20 years. When the George Inn was purchased by the current owners in July 2000, there were five skittles teams registered at the George.

However, since 2017 there have only been two teams playing from the George, and the skittle leagues in Wells and Shepton Mallet have also contracted in size resulting in fewer games being played by fewer teams overall.

Usage of the alley in 2019 amounted to approximately 30 nights between the two teams, plus another five occasions with the alley being used for skittles or other similar functions.

The application says: "Skittles seasons in 2020 are cancelled or much restricted due to Covid and the future popularity of the game is unlikely to return.

"Both of the George teams have difficulty fielding a full team during the season, and one team comprises mostly men whose average age is nearing 70.

"The prospects of new teams is almost nil and the likelihood of the seniors team folding is high. Alternative profitable usage of the alley is therefore imperative.

"The George has an established demand for its letting rooms, having operated them for more than 10 years.

"Demand for the George's unique, quality accommodation is steady and likely to improve post-2020 Covid restrictions.

"There is also an established and increasing need for disabled-accessible facilities, including disabled accessible bedrooms.

"The George has fully disabled accessible service and toilet facilities on the ground floor and disabled access to the garden of the pub, but its four en suite letting bedrooms are on the first floor.

"Thus, this proposal includes the creation of one fully disabled-accessible bedroom so that a full complement of facilities for eating, drinking and sleeping can be offered to the disabled community."

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

Siting of a marquee to accommodate a flexible use for office (Class E) and non-residential education (Class F1) use at Eco Food Creation, Forum Lane, Shepton Mallet, is wanted by Mrs S Ayton.

Erection of two storey rear extension, rear facing replacement dormer and single storey rear extension; refurbishment of existing house including wall treatment, windows and doors, new roof covering and landscaping at Greenacres, Baileys Lane, Westcombe, have been applied for by Mr and Mrs MacCaaw, who have also applied for the erection of a detached garage at the same address.

Demolition of existing single storey lean to/porch and construction of single storey extension to form bedroom and rear hallway at 38 Hawthorn Crescent, Shepton Mallet, is wanted by Mr and Mrs Race.

Application for a non-material amendment to permission 2016/2485/FUL for the change of use of the former accommodation wings, treadwheel house and gatehouse to residential accommodation (use class C3) (68 units); conversion and extension of former workshop to residential accommodation (use class C3) (28 units); construction of new residential block and residential terraces (use class C3) (50 units) and associated landscaping and car parking (178 spaces); conversion of former visitor's centre and part of B-Wing to community and heritage space with ancillary cafe (use classes A3, D1) (255 sqm); demolition of a number of non-listed buildings; alterations to the highway; creation of new pedestrian access, to amend wording on conditions so a small element of development could be carried out on the site to commence the approved development and keep the permission alive without first requiring the submission and approval of a large amount of details to discharge planning conditions at the former Shepton Mallet Prison, Cornhill, Shepton Mallet, has been made by City and Country Shepton Mallet Ltd.

Works to trees in a Conservation Area T1 - Leylandii - fell at Ashfield, Bakery Lane, Pilton, have been applied for by Dr Stephen Tofts.

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

Application for approval of reserved matters following outline approval 2019/1161/OTS for the erection of an agricultural worker's dwelling and attached annexe with details of access, matters of access/appearance/landscaping/layout/scale to be determined at Hillside Farm, Newbury Hill, Coleford, by Mr R Phillips has been approved.

Replace existing wooden sash windows with PVC equivalents at 24 Town Street, Shepton Mallet, by Mr Bonstow has been withdrawn.

Application to vary condition 2 (drawings) on previously approved 2018/0992/FUL in relation to works to the lower barn which include extending out by approximately two metres from the rear wall and to enlarge and modify the windows to the east elevation at Lower Eastcombe Farm, Eastcombe Farm Lane, Batcombe, by Mr and Mrs B Morris has been approved.

Change of use of the main building to C3 (residential) with existing rear building retained as D1 (non-residential institution); erection of garage, replacement of existing conservatory, erection of porch, internal and external alterations to main building and associated landscaping at 44 Compton Road, Shepton Mallet, by Mrs Garland has been approved.

Side and rear extension, with replacement access steps at 7 St Michael's Close, Stoke St Michael, by L Goodridge has been approved.

TPO M1202 - T1 - weeping willow - remove the torn and cracked branches, reduce the height of the tree by 5m and reduce the remaining crown by 4-6m in all directions to leave the tree with a balanced crown structure; T2 - weeping willow - reduce the height of the tree by 5m and reduce the remaining crown by 4-6m in all directions at 2 Maxwell Road, Shepton Mallet, by Jane Colbourne has been approved.

Proposed change of use of retail space by converting into a two-bedroom flat at J H Haskins, High Street, Shepton Mallet, has been approved.

TPO T1 (sycamore M202) - remove lower lateral limbs beneath 2.8m to lift the crown and reduce overhang at 85 Finch Close, Shepton Mallet, by Joy Reid has been approved.

Proposed two-storey sun room extension, single-storey lean-to kitchen extension (the roof of which to extend over and replace existing polycarbonate roof), single-storey link extension and alterations to some doors and windows at The Old Stables, Station Road to West Lane, Alhampton, by Mr and Mrs Paul Sergeant have been approved.

Application to remove condition 3 (Holiday Accommodation Occupancy) of planning approval 2020/0033/FUL (Change of use of land for the siting of 30 mobile lodges for the use as holiday accommodation) to residential accommodation at Cannard's Grave Farmhouse, Whitstone Hill to Fosse Way, Shepton Mallet, by Stevens Park Home Estates has been withdrawn.

Erection of double garage with accommodation above and link extension at The Cottage, Edford Green, Holcombe, by Mr and Mrs E Bakker has been approved.