A FORMER YMCA building in the centre of Taunton could become homes for retired people, under new plans. Housing provider LiveWest has applied to Somerset West and Taunton Council for permission to alter the building, in Middle Street. Part of wider plans, LiveWest has also applied to convert 12 bedsits in the current St James Court development in Lower Middle Street, pictured below, into six self-contained flats. And the St James Court frontage, on to St James Street, would also see changes under the plans. According to the planning application, internal layout changes to the Middle Street, former YMCA building, would include blocking up an existing opening at ground floor level which adjoins the neighbouring 1 Quadrant Court; internal layout changes in order to create storage for electric mobility scooters; external alterations to the south elevation to include installation of a new external door in place of an existing window and formation of ramped access.