A FORMER GP surgery could be converted into a home - as long as a ban on it being used for domestic purposes is overturned.

The freehold of the former Milverton Surgery, in Creedwell Orchard, which closed a year ago, is currently on the market for £125,000.

But the building has a restrictive covenant, meaning it could currently only be made into a facility such as a gym or a shop.

A planning application has now been submitted by Stephen Wood, of Weston-super-Mare, to Taunton Deane Borough Council for a change of use of the building, which dates from 1986 and is owned by a group of former partners in the practice.

There was widespread disappointment among the surgery's 2,190 patients when it closed last year and they were transferred to Lister House Surgery, three miles away in Wiveliscombe.

Milverton Parish Council clerk Gwil Wren said: "I understand the building has not been sold, but the covenant would have to be removed if it was to be used for domestic purposes.

"It would be better to have the building in use rather than seeing it fall into disrepair.

"People have known it's empty, but no-one's come up with any use for it."

The former partners of the practice resigned en masse following problems recruiting doctors and it was run for a year by Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust closed the service in February 2018, when the building became redundant.

Most patients now have to travel to Wiveliscombe for appointments, although a drop-in clinic is held twice a week in the nearby community centre - that will drop to once a week from March 10.

Mr Wren said: "The loss of the surgery was keenly felt and not everyone feels comfortable attending the clinic in the community centre."