Town's shuttered bank faces demolition under new proposals for flats

A BANK which closed two years ago because of a leaky roof could be demolished and replaced with nine flats.

As reported in the A&T, Natwest in Commercial Road shut for business in August 2017 after the damage left the building unsafe to use.

Despite scaffolding being erected, no repairs were made and just over a year later Natwest confirmed in a letter to customers that it would not reopen.

Now a planning application has been submitted by agent Pegasus Group on behalf of Gainrent Limited, which owns the 570sqm site, for a three-storey development.

The application also includes the use of the neighbouring building, currently occupied by Nationwide Building Society, which would be retained with one flat added above. There would also be a commercial area allocated to the ground floor of the former Natwest building.

The application states: “The precinct, in its current form, would appear to offer a number of areas that could be enhanced and improved by extension, refurbishment and redevelopment.

"In doing so, the precinct could then provide a stronger overall contribution to Totton town centre.”

If approved, the development would include five one-bedroom flats and four with two bedrooms, as well as a bike store. No parking provisions have been made.

The planning statement added: “The current central precinct is in a tired state, especially at first-floor level. Here there is a chance to invigorate the main precinct for shoppers by modernising the built environment and provide additional accommodation above the retail units.”

Totton and Eling Town Council has recommended to New Forest District Council that the scheme be approved.

A letter from the council states: “Although it is far from the improved commercial open frontage that could be achieved, it is still an improvement on the current structure and empty premises.

“The first and second-floor residential units have been well designed and will provide quality small flats.

"There are, however, concerns about the potential loss of several staff parking spaces and also the cumulative impact that continued development with no allocated parking will have on parking in the town centre.”

The public consultation period ends on 7th July, and the district council is expected to make a decision later.