Budleigh Fire Station could soon be transformed into a thriving community hub for hobby workshops, if planning approval is granted.

An application has now been submitted by Budleigh Community Workshop Trust (BCWT), seeking permission to transform the recently-acquired station, on Station Road.

The BCWT raised more than £400,000, the vast majority of which was put towards the purchase of the building.

If given the green light, the station will become a base for various community workshops and other recreational facilities for the community to enhance skills, confidence and inclusion.

There will be volunteer-led activities made available to individuals who have need for such facilities by reason of their age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances, with the object of improving their conditions of life.

Activities will initially focus on carpentry, wood turning and allied DIY, textile crafts and repair skills under the supervision of experienced practitioners and support volunteers.

There are also aspirations to make the Community Workshop socially inclusive and diverse, focussing wherever the need is, so that young adults and older generations can develop skills and enjoy the social and creative opportunities the workshop will provide.

Bill McDermott, chair of BCWT, said: "We raised around £400,000 in the lockdown period for this project and the majority went towards buying the building because we couldn't afford to loose this for the community.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for us to have a very well situated community workshop which will be open to all.

"Once it is refurbished and open it will be a fantastic asset for the whole of East Devon.

"It is all about getting everybody and anybody who wants to do something creative, whether they are lonely, new to the area or isolated, whatever the reason.

"It will be particularly good after Covid, when people want to get together again.

"Facilities like this which should be open by Easter will be worth its weight in gold in helping the community to bond again."

Permission is being sought to change the use of the building and to make some internal alterations.

At the moment the building is two storeys, with parking for the fire engine to the front and kitchenette, a WC and storage to the back on the ground floor.

The first floor consists of one main room.

If given the go-ahead, the building's appearance, including all external openings and materials will be generally unaltered.

The existing fire escape located on the north side will be replaced with a new personnel, disabled access.

Internally, the main area to the front will consist of work benches and desks while the back area will be used for a kitchenette, storage and toilets.

A new staircase to access the existing first floor will also be installed.

Concrete to the front of the building will be used as off-street parking.

East Devon District Council will make the final decision.

CLICK HERE to see the full planning application.

Read our previous story Volunteers raise £200,000 to turn former fire station into community workshop HERE.