Apartments plan for former High Street bank and bar

A former high street bank and an adjoining bar could be converted into a block of apartments if planning permission is approved.

The property, situated on the corner of High Street and New Street in Daventry in Northamptonshire, could transform the old Halifax bank and the former Retro Bar into nine residential flats.

The proposed residential development would include four one-bedroom flats and five two-bedroom units.

West Northamptonshire Council is currently reviewing the application, with a decision expected by the end of April.

Planning documents seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, reveal that the upper floors of the buildings are already in use as a house in multiple occupation (HMO), with 17 rooms and shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.

The new application seeks to convert all floors of 2 New Street and the upper levels of 1 High Street into apartments, while keeping the former bank's ground floor for commercial use.

The applicant, Achrom Limited, stated that the former bar has remained closed for several years, contributing to a decline in the town centre's visual appeal.

A spokesperson for Achrom Limited said: "The new homes proposal would bring a long vacant building back into use, ensuring its survival and significantly improving its contribution to the character, appearance and visual amenity of New Street and this part of the town centre generally."

Proposed external alterations include the installation of additional doors, the reopening of blocked-up windows and the repair or replacement of broken windows to enhance the building's appearance.

The development does not include parking spaces, citing its central location with easy access to local services and public transport.

The plans also indicate a reduction in overall occupancy, replacing the existing 17-person HMO with nine separate flats.

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