A planning application has been submitted to change the use of the former NatWest bank in Hatfield town centre into flats. 

Agents Barker Parry Town Planning submitted the amended plans on behalf of Crown Pharmacovigilance Ltd on April 28, with a consultation open until May 27.

The plans seek to change part of the ground floor use from Commercial, Business and Service (Class E), into living accommodation (Class C).  

Proposals also look to make alterations and extensions to the building to make way for one ground floor and three first floor flats, along with associated amenity space, parking, bins and bike storage.

The application was first submitted in 2022 and a revised application with minor amendments was submitted on Friday, April 28.

The changes from the approved scheme are as follows:

  • Two ground floor commercial units are proposed instead of one, increasing the quantity of retained Class E floorspace at the site.
  • Access alterations are proposed for flat one with additional defensible space (crime prevention and neighbourhood safety) created to enhance amenity for future occupiers.
  • The residential access for the upper floor flats now has a formal entrance from the town centre and
  • The proposed bin and bike stores are relocated so that they are more accessible from the service area facing Dog Kennel Lane.

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NatWest in Hatfield shut its doors at the end of 2019 and the unit has been vacant since.

                                                                                                         

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To view the plans in full, visit the planning portal at welhat.gov.uk/planning-applications and search for reference 6/2023/0918/FULL.

The consultation is set to end on Saturday, May 27.