PLANNING permission is being sought to turn an old Crediton warehouse into a 10-bedroom HMO and to refurbish two adjoining shops.

The vacant and dilapidated building on Exeter Road was once “used for many years as a surplus military warehouse and workshop”.

If Mid Devon District Council gives Ian Roberts the green light, it would become a 389.5-square-metre house in multiple occupation with 10 en-suite bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen/ dining room and a garden and TV room.

There would be seven car parking spaces and five bicycle parking spaces. Each room tenant would have their own individual mailbox and key.

The rooms would be available to rent for social, affordable or intermediate rent prices.

Two commercial units on site would also be refurbished. They would be 166 square metres in size in total and have an “upgraded concrete floor with alloy side and roof cladding along with the existing street façade”.

“This proposal will... create a high-quality, energy-efficient HMO which through sensitive material choices, will enhance and preserve this local landmark building,” planning documents say.

“Over the many past years, the building has fallen into decay and dilapidation and is in serious need of repair and remedial work to be carried out, indeed the new owners have made emergency repairs and construction to save the building’s integrity and featured façade.

“Outline planning permission was granted to this property [in] 2022 for eight dwellings but owing to the change in the property market and rising costs the present owners feel there is a greater need for this type of accommodation in the area to serve better for those on a lower income and for use as student accommodation.

“The bus and train links are nearby for commuting to Exeter without the need for private car travel.

“As for the two existing commercial units with off-road parking for customer and delivery use these are ideal for not only existing businesses to come into the area but a good site for new start-up companies.

“The proposed conversion will use an elemental and high-quality material palette to complement the existing fine brick façade; this will be repointed in all areas with new mortar and where necessary the insertion of reclaimed bricks from the dismantled unsafe chimney stacks.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

You can see the application on the council’s website under reference 26/00208/FULL.