Selsey bank could become restaurant and flats

Embargoed to 0001 Tuesday January 4
File photo dated 15/06/06 of credit cards, as nearly a third of credit cardholders plan to shift debt between cards during 2011 to take advantage of a lower interest rate. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday January 3, 2011. Around 31% of people with outstanding credit card debt said in a survey that they plan to transfer an average of Â£1,015 between plastic this year, and just over half of them will do so during the coming three months, according to high street bank Santander. See PA story MONEY Card. Photo credit should read: Martin Keene/PA Wire ENGNNL00120120627182011 — Embargoed to 0001 Tuesday January 4 File photo dated 15/06/06 of credit cards, as nearly a third of credit cardholders plan to shift debt between cards during 2011 to take advantage of a lower interest rate. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday January 3, 2011. Around 31% of people with outstanding credit card debt said in a survey that they plan to transfer an average of Â£1,015 between plastic this year, and just over half of them will do so during the coming three months, according to high street bank Santander. See PA story MONEY Card. Photo credit should read: Martin Keene/PA Wire ENGNNL00120120627182011

The Natwest Selsey branch closed almost exactly a year ago, and now a planning application has been submitted to convert it.

The application is to change the empty building into a new restaurant and create a two-bedroom and a three-bedroom flat on the first floor.

The planning document does not say which type of restaurant it could be converted to, but does include plans for a small rear ground floor extension and lowering of the windows to front elevation.

The application has been submitted by local agents PDK Architecture and Surveying.

The design and access statement said: “The existing bank has been closed for some months and is situated in the heart of the high street.

“The proposal will provide a new lease of life to the redundant building with the creation of a new restaurant facility within the existing building and one two-bedroom flat and one three-bedroom flat at first floor over the existing rear flat roof and within the existing pitched roof at the front.

“New windows will provided at first floor and new lower windows at ground floor to the street elevation.

“It is proposed to retain the existing stone façade and alter to suit new openings and 200mm increase in height of the parapet.”

It added: “The development will provide employment and income to the town centre with the provision of the new restaurant, plus provide much needed quality accommodation.

The property will be sympathetic to the existing street scene and surrounding properties.”

The Selsey Natwest branch closed in January 2015 after customers dropped.

The bank has said it was making the decision after the number of transactions taking place there dropped by 16 per cent in the last few years.

It left the Lloyds branch as the only bank in the town, though money can still be withdrawn at the Post Office.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChichesterObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Chichester Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.