News: Plans passed for former Rotherham bank
Plans to support the reuse of a historic former bank building in Rotherham town centre have been approved.
Rothbiz reported last year that an application had been submitted for a change of use for the former RBS branch at the foot of the historic High Street.
The plans allow for part of ground floor to change from financial and professional services (A2) so that it can be used as a café or restaurant (A3). Consent has also been granted for internal alterations, as have plans to demolish redundant outbuildings in the rear yard.
The Grade II listed building has been a bank since 1892. The freehold went up for sale with agents, Avison Young, at the start of 2019 with offers initially being invited in the region of £425,000. It eventually sold at auction for £306,000.
The planning documents, from applicant, Zayan Developments, showed that only a small amount of internal works are proposed, such as new stud walls and the removal of the goods lifts and there are to be no external alterations.
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Council planners concluded: "It is considered that the key heritage significance of the building is derived from its external appearance, banking hall ceiling, a fire place in a room off the banking hall, the main staircase and how it interacts with the surrounding area. Given that no external works are proposed and internal historic features are to be retained as part of the proposal, it is considered that the scheme would have no adverse impact on the heritage asset.
"It is therefore considered in this instance that there would be no identifiable harm to the setting and significance of the asset, and the proposal would comply with national and local planning policies.
"With regard to the impact of the proposed use on neighbouring residential properties, which can be found at first floor on High Street, it is noted that the proposed use would be open until midnight, however there are several late-night uses in this area. Furthermore, given the nature of the proposed use any noise is likely to be limited to comings and goings, which is not uncommon within town centres."
The branch was one of 162 branch closures announced by the taxpayer-backed RBS Group in 2018 after it decided that NatWest should become its primary customer facing brand in England and Wales, and Royal Bank of Scotland its core brand in Scotland.
1 - 9 High Street has its history in the Sheffield & Rotherham Joint Stock Banking Co Ltd which was a past constituent of RBS. The bank was established in 1792 by famous Rotherham steelmakers, the Walker brothers; along with Vincent Eyre, agent of the Duke of Norfolk (the principal landowner in the area); and William Stanley, a local businessman described as a "gentleman well-known and much respected at Rotherham."
The Grade II listed building was built in 1892 possibly on the site of the "OLD BANK / FOUNDED 1792" as the sign above the doorway reads. The impressive building is notable for its polished granite columns.
Images: Zayan Developments
Rothbiz reported last year that an application had been submitted for a change of use for the former RBS branch at the foot of the historic High Street.
The plans allow for part of ground floor to change from financial and professional services (A2) so that it can be used as a café or restaurant (A3). Consent has also been granted for internal alterations, as have plans to demolish redundant outbuildings in the rear yard.
The Grade II listed building has been a bank since 1892. The freehold went up for sale with agents, Avison Young, at the start of 2019 with offers initially being invited in the region of £425,000. It eventually sold at auction for £306,000.
The planning documents, from applicant, Zayan Developments, showed that only a small amount of internal works are proposed, such as new stud walls and the removal of the goods lifts and there are to be no external alterations.
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Council planners concluded: "It is considered that the key heritage significance of the building is derived from its external appearance, banking hall ceiling, a fire place in a room off the banking hall, the main staircase and how it interacts with the surrounding area. Given that no external works are proposed and internal historic features are to be retained as part of the proposal, it is considered that the scheme would have no adverse impact on the heritage asset.
"It is therefore considered in this instance that there would be no identifiable harm to the setting and significance of the asset, and the proposal would comply with national and local planning policies.
"With regard to the impact of the proposed use on neighbouring residential properties, which can be found at first floor on High Street, it is noted that the proposed use would be open until midnight, however there are several late-night uses in this area. Furthermore, given the nature of the proposed use any noise is likely to be limited to comings and goings, which is not uncommon within town centres."
The branch was one of 162 branch closures announced by the taxpayer-backed RBS Group in 2018 after it decided that NatWest should become its primary customer facing brand in England and Wales, and Royal Bank of Scotland its core brand in Scotland.
1 - 9 High Street has its history in the Sheffield & Rotherham Joint Stock Banking Co Ltd which was a past constituent of RBS. The bank was established in 1792 by famous Rotherham steelmakers, the Walker brothers; along with Vincent Eyre, agent of the Duke of Norfolk (the principal landowner in the area); and William Stanley, a local businessman described as a "gentleman well-known and much respected at Rotherham."
The Grade II listed building was built in 1892 possibly on the site of the "OLD BANK / FOUNDED 1792" as the sign above the doorway reads. The impressive building is notable for its polished granite columns.
Images: Zayan Developments
16 comments:
Is it going to be Indian/Pakistani food do we know ?
I think a pakistani man has bought it but don't know if it is going to be Asian food strictly speaking I feel it will be better if development is done and not only that I feel that council should be full steam ahead in terms of the other regeneration at forge Island and main street and guest and chrimes should also be demolished and redeveloped
Hope it's not Asian style there are plenty of those places on welfare, which is becoming a ghetto for Asian based shops rather than good of everyone
It needs to be an upmarket dining establishment the building itself is great and could use its original features as a showcase. But could Rotherham support such a business? If it is a normal run of the mill curry house I think it will go the same way as the rest of them and will close in two years.
We need more bars in Rotherham serving food bringing more life into town rotherham town is a ghost town something needs doing and fast.
Guests and chrimes should not be demolished just modernised as it holds a lot of history it got a contract to provide New York with all the fire hydrants hence why the football stadium was called that
Another ruined building every time buildings are bought by certain community, they wreck em, William Fry, Masons on well gate, and old sportsman on Westgate come too mind. I was hoping witherspoons would've take it on.
I love Asian food. We could do with a quality one akin to Neelagiree. Bring it on! Good work with this approval Rotherham Council!
Rotherham town is on its ass and people on here are more perturbed about the ethnicity of the owner rather than commending him for taking a risk in rotherham town centre. God help us all 🤦♂️
Not true. That area was known as New York before guest and chines existed. Also the building cannot be renovated, it far beyond that. It as little of no value and should be demolished. Also it is a little odd that council have allowed the historic hall in Bramley to be demolished this week, when that building was over 300 years old yet guest and crimes is still standing. Get it pulled down and get something built, it's a rat infested eyesore right in town centre and would've gone years ago in virtually any other town/city.
I think only Asians want to put back into Rotherham and take risks the other communities just want to slate people and do nothing themselves
Well said mate glad you're sensible
Well said mate
Well they need to puy, they're much of the problem with our town have you forgot already what that community have being doing to our young girls, or have you a selective memory? 🤔
Not all the community you buffoon racist prat get your facts right scum like you cause trouble don't think Muslims don't go on this website they do so vrow up
Whoever redevelops this building, I hope they pay attention to ‘The Building Regulations 2010’. There is a legal requirement to make ‘level access’ to redeveloped premises, but very few in Rotherham comply - e.g. most of High Street redevelopments. It will only change if the council encourage compliance and cooperate with works to comply.
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