PLANS have been put forward to convert a former bank building in St Austell town centre into accommodation for services veterans.

Cornwall Council has received a planning application for the proposed conversion of the former TSB bank in Cross Lane into three self-contained flats for rent to former services personnel.

The applicant is James Nicholson, of Arcangel Enterprises, and the agent is Geoff Coombe.

The application to the council says: “This standalone building was constructed in the late 50s/early 60s as a Trustees Savings Bank and operated as such for several years before branches were amalgamated and this bank closed.

“It has been empty for several years both before and after use as a solicitors’ store/office which has now relocated.

“In its present form the building has remained vacant and has been marketed for sale with no success until the present owner purchased it.

“It sits in the heart of the old town adjacent to the church and Market House. Most other buildings in the area have changed use in recent years with former solicitors’ offices and estate agents etc being converted to flats or, at present, being designed for conversion to residential units.

“The building itself is constructed in traditional cavity blockwork and is clad in grey calcium silicate brick.

“The weather is now taking its toll and our first job is to prevent further water ingress.

“The proposal is to convert this building into three completely self-contained flats each with its own access.

“These will provide much-needed housing for people in the local community to rent, with priority given to ex-military personnel and key workers where possible. As a company, we specialise in and prioritise housing solutions for local communities, ex-military (including disabled adaption) and key workers.

“The building elevations would not change much with the front elevation losing the roller shutter door and having a new door and surround onto the footpath preventing anti-social use of the original front access. This elevation also loses one of the large windows leaving the rest of windows on this elevation in anodised aluminium. The south and east elevations would not change at all.”