Colwyn Bay’s former Halifax branch is being considered for repurposing as a shop, pending approval from the Conwy County Council’s planning department.
Kaleem Ahmed, representing Knightsbridge Property Development, has submitted an application seeking permission to change the use of 7 Penrhyn Road from a bank and building society to commercial use.
Mr. Ahmed’s request involves converting the space into a shop and creating two additional apartments within the building. As indicated in the planning application, the property currently comprises three vacant flats, with one on the first floor and two on the second floor.
Halifax Firm (Credits: Chronicle Live)
The developer’s proposed plan includes converting a first-floor office and remodeling the first-floor apartment to accommodate the two new flats.
These additional flats are estimated to have market values of £44,000 and £35,000, respectively. It’s worth noting that this application follows a previous attempt at conversion, which was declined due to the council’s assertion that the plans did not align with its affordable housing policy.
According to the application details, the change of use is expected to create one full-time job. This redevelopment initiative was prompted by the closure of Colwyn Bay’s Halifax branch in the summer of 2019, citing declining foot traffic.
Halifax Banking Group (Credits: LBC)
The bank, a part of the Lloyds Banking Group, communicated the closure to its customers, emphasizing the increasing shift towards online banking and the subsequent reduction in footfall at physical branches.
The proposed plans will likely be deliberated upon in an upcoming Conwy County Council planning committee meeting at Bodlondeb.
