A FORMER office building next to the derelict Assize Courts in Devizes is to be converted into eight flats.

Kennet district councillors were told estate agents Atwell Martin tried to market the former Bluemay offices in Lower Wharf, for more than two years but without success.

Devizes building contractors Gaiger Brothers bought the building and submitted the planning application to convert it into eight, two bedroomed flats.

A number of residents in Cyprus Terrace expressed concern that their back gardens would be overlooked by the flats. Gaigers agreed to amend the design of some of the windows to minimise this.

One resident John Wilcock was also concerned that the access road between Cyprus Terrace and the Assize Courts was inadequate. He said during the recent fire in the Assize Courts the fire brigade struggled to access the rear of the courthouse.

He thought if there was any extra vehicles parked in Lower Wharf then access for emergency vehicles would be impossible.

Wiltshire County Council said the traffic generated by flats would be less than when the offices were in use.