Plans to convert part of a bank into seven flats have been approved.

Under-used areas of the Lloyds Bank at 20-24 High Street, Gosport, will now become homes after councillors at Gosport Borough Council gave the green light.

Dow Properties Ltd, which leases the building to Lloyds, said large parts are unused or under-used, including the vault, offices and storage areas on the second floor.

Lloyds Bank, corner of High Street and North Cross Street, Gosport | Whitebox Architecture/LDRS

placeholder image — Lloyds Bank, corner of High Street and North Cross Street, Gosport | Whitebox Architecture/LDRS

The scheme, approved by members of the council’s regulatory board on December 3, will see the second floor extended and the creation of flats with roof terraces.

There will be three one-bedroom flats and four two-bedroom flats.

Councillors granted the planning permission but were split over fears of wheelie bins from the flats cluttering the high street.

The seven flats will in future require ten wheelie bins for general rubbish, recycling and food waste.

Chairman Councillor Steven Hammond (Lib Dem, Bridgemary), who said bank building is a heritage asset, said: “It is a horror story.

“The bins need to be put back against the wall and I’m not comfortable putting my name against this.”

Councillor Kirsten Bradley (Lib Dem, Lee East) said the bins would cause an obstruction to pedestrians and mobility scooters as they would be left on the street all day until put away.

The flats would need three 360 litre general waste bins collected every fortnight, six 360 litre bins for recycling, and a single 140 litre food bin.

The application was approved four in favour and three against.

Members were told the conversion of the building could have been allowed under permitted development rights in any event.

A planning statement from the developer said: “The proposal seeks to release the site’s development potential and create a new, mixed use building sitting harmoniously within its context.”

It said the plans are “securing the long term future of a landmark building within the conservation area” and are “a chance to deliver a scheme which enhances the townscape visually, as well as introducing activity and vitality to an unused site and its wider context”.

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