Plans to bring former bank back to life as new restaurant

In 2016 Yorkshire Bank announced it would be closing a number of local branches, including one on High Street in Queensbury.

Now a planning application has been submitted that would see the ground floor of the building converted into a restaurant with space for 64 diners, while the upper floors would be turned into four apartments.

The building, which dates back to 1895, lies within the Queensbury Conservation Area.

Changes to the building will include a new glass entranceway and an outdoor dining terrace – which would allow an additional 36 diners in warm weather.

The new business would create eight full time jobs and four part time jobs.

The planning application, submitted by Chris Powell, says the building makes a “positive contribution” to the Conservation Area, and work will be done to retain its original features.

It adds: “This is a vacant building, formerly used by Yorkshire Bank.

“We would like to bring this building ‘back to life’, which we feel would be very beneficial to the area.

“We intend to retain and refurbish the majority of this building and its original features. Later additions to the building, like the complex ramped access and entrance lobby are to be replaced and rationalised.

“The existing Bank Building currently has no designated parking on site. However, there is ample on street parking.”

The residential accommodation being created on the upper floors of the building include two one-bed flats and two two-bed flats.

The planning documents also reveal that a further application will soon be submitted for another part of the site.

Behind the bank building is a derelict former coach house.

The application for the restaurant says that this coach house building makes a “neutral” contribution to the Conservation Area. An upcoming planning application will seek permission to demolish this building and construct two town houses in its place.

A decision on the restaurant application is expected in June.

The Queensbury Conservation Area dates back to the early 1980s, and gives greater protection to the buildings and features that fall within its boundaries.

It includes most of High Street and buildings such as Black Dyke Mills and Victoria Hall.

The main point of the Conservation Area is to “help preserve the special character and appearance of the area and maintain or improve its environmental quality.

“Whilst it is recognised that conservation areas must be allowed to evolve to meet changing demands it is important that this occurs within a framework of controlled and positive management.”

However in recent years some residents have criticised the rules of the Conservation Area, such as guidance that external roller shutters should not be installed on Conservation Area buildings. This has led to a number of applications for security measures on Conservation Area building being refused.