An existing bank on Watford High Street will be transformed into a new restaurant and two apartments after ‘change of use’ plans were approved last month.
The agreed plans involve the external and internal reconfiguration of the building, which will see a trendy new restaurant opening on the ground floor, whilst new residential apartments will be created utilising the space on the first floor, previously used as offices for the bank.
The proposed design is complementary to the conservation area in which the building is situated, and is also sensitive to both new residents of the apartments and other neighbours in the surrounding areas.
Through discussions and negotiations with the local Council the proposals included a legal agreement to confirm that the apartments would not benefit from a parking permit, due to the town centre location, and that the noise level of the proposed kitchen extraction equipment would not be too high as to disturb the neighbours; including those residing in the apartments above.
ET Planning also highlighted and reflected upon the Watford Borough Council Core Strategy in the planning application to demonstrate that the proposals match the vision of the Council. The strategy explains that the town centre would ‘benefit from additional leisure and cultural facilities’ and that there is an expected 43% growth in restaurant/café use in the town by 2025.
The application was approved under delegated powers.
