An ‘unsustainable’ physiotherapy centre in Sidford could downsize – and partially transform into a flat – if an application receives the go-ahead from district planners.

The plans seek to reduce the size of two-storey East Devon Physiotherapy And Sports Injuries Clinic, in Church Street, and transform the remaining space into residential living accommodation.

A design and access statement for the scheme said: "The existing building was a shop and, due to the continual decline in Sidford, was converted into a physiotherapy practice in early 2000.

"The general decline has continued and also as part of the centralising of healthcare provisions, the practice has become unsustainable in its present form, hence the reduction in size."

The plans say the scheme will provide a 'much-needed' dwelling in Sidford while still retaining the business in its current form.

A spokesman for the centre said business and all practitioners are running as usual.