Empty Barclays bank in High Street, Gosport, will be 8 flats

An application by London-based KMP Solutions to breathe new life into the old Barclays bank building in Gosport High Street has been approved.

Opened in the 1970s, it closed on April 26 last year as Barclays and other banks continued to axe branches across the UK.

The three-storey property forms part of the High Street Conservation Area.

Under the scheme submitted by KMP, the upper storeys will be converted into one-bedroom flats and a new commercial use will be found for the ground floor.

Despite the closure of Barclays, Gosport High Street still has banks, including a branch of Lloyds (Image: Newsquest)

Gosport was badly bombed during the Second World War but some of the town's most historic buildings survived.

READ MORE: Former Lloyds bank in Lyndhurst High Street set to become flats after plans approved

A heritage statement that accompanied the application said: "This area retains many buildings that make a significant contribution to the conservation area.

"Particularly notable are the former Star Inn, the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Lloyd’s Bank, and the Grade II-listed former theatre.

"New developments in the area will need to be especially sensitive to the scale, design, and detailing of the historic buildings.

"The council have produced a conversation area appraisal which outlines the historic development of the area, and its character and appearance, in order that key attributes are understood and can be protected and measures put in place to ensure appropriate enhancement."

Despite the closure of Barclays, Gosport high Street still has other banks, including a branch of HSBC (Image: Newsquest)

The statement said the former bank's windows would be upgraded and the "dated" frontage replaced.

It cited the government's decision to promote the conversion of vacant commercial buildings into flats, adding: "This proposal is an opportunity for the local authority to promote good quality design which is both sympathetic and enhancing to the conservation area, providing much-needed residential use to a highly sustainable area.

"Overall, the proposal will preserve the interest and significance of the identified heritage assets."

Now the scheme has been approved by the borough council, subject to conditions.

The application to turn the former bank into eight one-bedroom flats has been approved by Gosport Borough Council (Image: Newsquest)

A council report said the flats would occupy only the upper floors, making the former bank comparable to other buildings in the area, and the ground floor would continue to host a commercial use.

The report added: "It is considered that the proposal would preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area and would not affect its sustainability.

"Indeed, the introduction of further residential uses could potentially have a positive impact, increasing footfall that would support shops and services in the area."