New plans for former Nat West building at Fleetwood

Fleetwood's NatWest Bank branch, on the corner of Lord Street and Church Street, closed in June 2017, leaving the Grade II listed Edwardian building empty.

A number of businesses have leased it since then, but have ceased trading.

But now there are new plans for the building, regarded as one of the more handsome properties in Fleetwood town centre.

Owners London Estate Limited have applied to planners at Wyre for listed building consent for the subdivision and conversion of the former bank space, at ground and mezzanine level, into four new residential apartments and the creation of a commercial unit at ground floor level.

Architects Sunderland Peacock, on behalf of the applicants, stated in planning documents: "It is an impressive early twentieth century Grade II listed building of sandstone construction, designed to reflect wealth and power.

"The property was bought in January 2018 and since this time the ground floor unit has been be leased on an intermittent basis to a number of business which have not been successful.

"The ground floor unit is currently unoccupied and unviable for a business use in the town, worsened by the economic effects of COVID-19.

"Therefore this proposal provides an alternative opportunity for the building to provide a more sustainable building use.

"The proposal will provide a smaller and more economical commercial unit for the local community as well as four residential units ensuring the preservation of the existing building role within the town.

"The design has been sensitively designed to reflect the character of the existing building whilst providing an alternative and viable use."

A spokesman or London Estate, a property investment company based in Oxfordshire, said: "“We are delighted to have owned this fabulous property for nearly three years since the building was sold by NatWest.

"The extensive size of the former banking hall and offices is no longer an attractive space to offer potential Business tenants due to the changing dynamics of the High street and costs associated with maintaining historic premises.

"The owner has therefore applied to Wyre Borough Council for planning permission to convert the majority of the ground floor to four nicely designed apartments that will assimilate with the upper floors of the property.

"If approved a smaller retail unit will remain at the corner of the property that would represent a more manageable space for local business traders”