AMBITIOUS plans to tear down Argos’ Newton Abbot town centre hub to make way for nearly 20 flats has been unveiled.

Delphic Holdings, landlords of the ugly Queen Street building, have lodged the major bid with district planners.

Developers are hoping to knock down the single-storey shop and replace it with a new four-storey structure with 16 apartments and ground floor shops.

Bosses at Argos, which leases the site from the Bristol-based landlords, wouldn’t comment on what the future holds for their enterprise.

An Argos spokesman would only say was that it was ‘business as usual for the moment’, when approached by the Mid-Devon Advertiser.

The landlords believe a revamp of the ‘unattractive and under-developed’ site would hugely enhance the town.

Town development manager Sally Henley said: ‘I have seen the application for a new retail and residential build on the Argos site, but it’s very early days yet.

‘I understand that Argos has signed a new five-year lease which they have every intention of committing to, which takes its occupancy of the site to 2023.

She added: ‘I therefore have no concerns that we will lose this important brand from the town centre.

‘I think it is encouraging that Newton Abbot continues to be of interest to retailers, businesses and developers, who see both the current success of the town and its future potential.’

Planning officers at the district authority are expected to make a decision on the application by mid-August.