NFDC planners give go ahead for former Lloyds Bank building conversion in Fordingbridge

PLANNERS gave the go-ahead retrospectively for a former bank in Fordingbridge to be converted into commercial premises and residences.

NFDC granted an application for full planning permission to transform the ground floor of the former Lloyds Bank at 1 Bridge Street.

The applicant also wanted permission for three two-bed flats on the upper floors and a single bed, ground-floor garden flat, plus new external stairwell access to the upper floors, cycle and bins storage.

An officer’s report said the conversion works were completed in October 2020.

The officer wrote: “Building regulations approval was apparently sought at the time, but this was via an approved inspector and not the council’s building control service.

“The proposal is therefore retrospective in nature, with the works to provide the four flats having already taken place.

“Similarly, all the external changes including the unauthorised uPVC new windows and doors have already taken place.”

The report noted three of the four flats in the building are currently unoccupied and the commercial unit has not yet been taken up.

NFDC gave retrospective permission for the building’s redevelopment on the condition replacement doors and windows are installed by 21st December this year.

Planners also said the works must comply with local flood resilience measures and water use calculations to avoid any “adverse impacts” on the River Avon Special Area of Conservation.