PLANS to turn a former union regional HQ into 13 apartments have been approved.

Windsor Properties (Taunton) applied for planning permission to convert the former UNISON building in The Crescent from offices into dwellings.

The 19th Century building was bought by Windsor Properties in mid 2017 after UNISON moved out.

Somerset West and Taunton Council, the planning authority, gave the plans conditional approval on June 11.

A spokesman said: "The development was initially proposed as a modern 3 storey development that would have had a significant impact on neighbours, however the revised scheme has led to a significantly reduced response.

"The revised scheme is considered an acceptable one that will see the

future use and improvement to the setting of the listed building and the benefits of the reuse and layout are considered to outweigh the loss of employment use."

To view the full plans search reference 38/18/0068 on the Somerset West and Taunton website.