Plans have been submitted to turn a Grade II listed building and former care home into nine apartments.
An application for The Priory, in Paternoster Row, has been submitted by Grainge Architects on behalf of Belfield Developments to create the nine units across three floors.
The plans seek to covert the care home into nine two-bed properties, include two with Juliette balconies, and a number of modifications to rear section of the building.
The Grade II listed Georgian building was built in 1719 and since 1978 has been used as a care home until last April when the care provider withdrew from providing its services.
It was an independent school in the 1870s and has also been home to Kings Grammar School, the Ottery branch of the Royal British Legion and served as the town’s police station, court house and detention cells from 1949 to 1974.
Among the changes to the building would be the demolition of an existing extension to create a residents’ courtyard and access, the removal of the roof at the rear to create an additional storey.
The ground floor would maintain a shared hallway and lobby, existing main staircase and lift. Four apartments will be built across the floor, including one with access to a private courtyard garden and two maisonettes.
A further five flats will be built across the first and second floor.
The developer said the conversion will remain sympathetic to the unique architectural character and history of the building.
The application stated: “The new proposal seeks to create nine high quality apartments, perfect for modern living, providing contemporary homes for the town and parish.
“The scheme aims for a respectful and sensitive refurbishment of the existing building, matching the existing fabric when possible.”
The development would also construct a bridge over the courtyard and Juliette balconies on the second floor overlooking the town and car park.
The plans will retain the surviving main staircase and also look to neaten, clean and redesign the building’s network of drainpipes and electrical cables to showcase the ornate original brick details.
Bin storage and resident parking will also be provided.
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