Plans to convert Shepton Mallet Prison into 146 homes have been re-approved by Mendip District Council.

The resubmission of scheme approved under application 2016/2486/LBC, relating to internal and external alterations concerning a 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; 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 and creation of new pedestrian access at H M Prison Cornhill, Shepton Mallet, had been submitted by City and Country Residential Ltd.

The plans were approved in October 2016, but as work had not started three years later, the proposals had to be resubmitted for approval.

The application that has been approved is identical to the one that was approved in 2016, and will involve conversion of some of the site and the demolition and building of new homes on other parts of the prison.

A total of 88 homes will be converted from the current buildings, with 34 one-bedroom apartments, 50 two-bedroom apartments and four two-bedroom duplex, or maisonette, apartments.

There will be 58 new homes built, made up of 10 one-bedroom apartments, nine one-bedroom duplex houses, 20 two-bedroom apartments, 15 two-bedroom duplex apartments and four three- bedroom apartments.

In the former main cell block, the conversion and alteration of the existing lower ground, ground, first, second and roof space is to provide 40 units, and includes the conversion of the existing roof space above B-wing to provide the duplex apartments.

The existing, historic horizontal grilles on the windows are to be retained, and where required modern window openings will be formed beneath the stone sill of the existing cell windows.

The former C-wing will be converted into 24 units, and the gymnasium is to be converted into a café/restaurant and community space.

Other buildings to be converted into accommodation include the former treadwheel house and former workshop block.

In terms of car parking, 176 spaces have been allocated on the site, with 146 bicycle spaces as well.

The former HMP Cornhill prison in Shepton Mallet was closed and vacated in 2013, and was bought by City and Country Residential Ltd in 2014/2015.

It was the oldest prison in Britain when it was closed by the government to cut costs, and had a number of infamous inmates, including the Kray twins.

A number of executions took place on the site, some of which have been detailed in the book Somerset Executions.