PROPOSALS to turn a former betting shop into a convenience store have been drawn up.  

An application has been sent for a proposed change of use of the vacant former William Hill on Seddon Street, Windlehurst, into a retail premises 

Applicant Mr A Kanthanathan has submitted the bid to council planners, which claims that prior approval is not required for the conversion.

A planning statement by agents MAT Design in the application states: "Class A of the most up to date GPDO (General Permitted Development Order) allows an owner/applicant to go from a either a casino, a betting office, a payday loan shop or a hot food take-away (all Sui Genris uses) to commercial, business and service which is Use Class E, as permitted development.

"As we understand it, there is no prior approval application required and the only requirement is to write to the Local Planning Authority informing them when the building will change over from the Sui Genris Use (betting office) to Use Class E."

READ > Takeaway with 'rat droppings' in kitchen prosecuted over food hygiene breaches

The statement adds: "The proposals for the site are to use the existing betting office commercial floor space as a retail premises selling convenience goods" and that "no external alterations are proposed as part of this application". 

It concludes: "The change of use of the commercial floor space is permitted development under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class A of the most recent General Permitted Development Order. As such, we would ask that the Local Planning Authority issue the requested certificate".

A determination deadline on the plans has been set for July 23.