Owners of a disused plot near to John Lewis in Cheltenham hope to transform the site into modern offices.

Near to the southern end of Cheltenham's high street, the site on Highbury Lane is close to the John Lewis department store, Lidl and a gym.

A planning application has asked the borough council for permission to demolish five unused garages on the site to make way for the development.

Plans suggest the development will provide a total of 870 square ft of office space, split between one single storey unit and one two-storey unit.

Submitted to planners last week, the application's design and access statement said that the offices will be 'open plan self-contained, with internal WC and Kitchen areas and have their own bin and bike storage areas.'

Andrew Smith of Cheltenham-based Smith Hotchen Partnership, the architect's involved in the application, said: "While the massing is that of a single-story garage and a 1½ story coach house the appearance is of a contemporary style building in traditional materials.

"It is of a form and size of many rear garage block to be found in the back lanes of Cheltenham."

Once complete and fully occupied, it is expected that the offices will provide employment for four full-time staff.