A former funeral directors in Warwick could be turned into a two-bed house, if plans are signed off by Warwick District Council (WDC).

A planning application to turn the vacant shop at St Johns into a home has been put forward, stating there is no viable commercial future for a business there.

The unit - which has been empty since 2018 - was given permission to be turned into a salon in 2021 by WDC, but the scheme never went ahead.

The fresh application explained: "The applicant intended to use the property for a beauty salon, however the level of internal works required to enable this change of use and to bring the property back into a reasonable state of repair, have prevented this proposed use on viability grounds. 

"The existing building needs significant repairs and modernisation and the potential yield from a beauty salon in this location would not be sufficient to enable this to be a viable use of the building. 

"The premises therefore remains vacant, as it has since 2018." 

If approved, the project would see the downstairs turned into a kitchen and sitting room.

The staircase to the current upstairs flat would be moved, and the first floor reconfigured.

A single-storey extension to the rear would also be removed to make space for a small courtyard.

The application added: "The proposal would cause no harm to the vitality or vibrancy of this area of Warwick Town Centre and is no longer viable as a commercial unit. 

"The proposed change of use would not adversely impact upon highway safety or level of local amenity."

See the full planning application here.