New Bexhill restaurants and flats development proposals unveiled
Plans have been unveiled to convert a vacant bank building in Bexhill town centre into two new restaurants and eight apartments.
Bozyel Construction Ltd has submitted the proposals to Rother District Council.
They involve turning the empty Lloyds Bank building at 11-13 Devonshire Road into apartments on the upper floors, providing two restaurant spaces, as well as building a rooftop extension.
A design and access statement from RX Architects, on behalf of the applicant, said: “The application site comprises a former bank building, occupying a prominent town centre corner site close to local amenities, Bexhill station and the seafront.
“The property is currently vacant, presenting an opportunity to bring the building back into active use through conversion.
“The scheme proposes converting the ground-floor accommodation to provide two restaurant units, whilst reconfiguring the upper floors to deliver eight one- to two-bedroom residential apartments.
“The brief for the project is to secure the long-term reuse of the existing former bank building through a mixed-use redevelopment that retains an active commercial frontage whilst bringing the vacant upper floors back into residential use.
“The design has sought to work within the constraints of the existing building, minimise intervention to the external appearance, and deliver high-quality accommodation that responds positively to its location within Bexhill town centre and the conservation area.
“The surrounding area is characterised predominantly by commercial use, with active premises including retail, cafés, restaurants, professional services and other town centre businesses occupying adjacent ground-floor units.
“Residential accommodation and office space are located on the upper floors of surrounding buildings, creating an established mixed-use environment characteristic of the town centre.
“The proposal reflects this established pattern of development by retaining an active commercial use at ground floor level whilst bringing the vacant upper floors back into residential use.”
Lloyds Bank closed its Devonshire Road branch in September 2024 after it said visits to its branch had fallen over 'recent years'.
The application RR/2026/1244 can be viewed online via the planning section of the Rother District Council website at www.rother.gov.uk/planning. Comments on the applications may be submitted online through the same website or by email to [email protected].