Part of a Grade II-listed former bank situated in a conservation area in Newtown could be turned into flats.
Hughes Architects have submitted plans to Powys County Council on behalf of Mr Russel Bradley to turn the office space inside the Barclays bank building at The Cross into seven one-bedroom flats.
The proposals aim to repurpose part of the 19th Century building, which was built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond jubilee, for housing which is in high demand in Newtown.
The planning consultants claim there is a lack of demand for its current use as offices.
Barclays closed its last north Powys branch in September 2022 citing that customers were using it less often.
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In the application, Hughes Architects said: “The proposed works involve the internal reconfiguration of the first floor of the building at Cross Buildings, Newtown into seven one-bedroom flats.
“The first floor of the building is currently under the Use Class E(g)(i) - Offices and thus, through this scheme will be converted to Use Class C3 - Residential Accommodation.
"The original intention of the building was to be used for offices and has been since it’s construction in the late 19th Century.
There are already flats inside the iconic building which have views of High Street and Broad Street. (Image: Public)
“However, since the closing of Barclays bank, the most recent commercial user of the property, there has been little interest or demand for further use as office space or any other commercial enterprise.
“Due to this, and the increase in demand for affordable living accommodation, the applicant and owner of the building has proposed the conversion of the first floor of the building into flats.
“A use that will revive the occupancy of one of Newtown’s most prolific buildings.”
Hughes Architects added that there would be no changes to the building's exterior in order to keep it sympathetic to the historic look of the town centre.
Cross Buildings is often referred to as the centre-piece of Newtown’s town centre and acts as an iconic landmark in Newtown for visitors and people who live locally.
“The primary reason for this is the buildings unique-to-Newtown design style and the grand clock tower which stands above the rest of the buildings nearby," the statement added.
“Due to the local and historic importance of the external appearance of the building, it was a key design point to involve little to no alterations externally and appearing as thought there have been no changes to the building from passers-by.”
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