Former high street bank to be converted into HMO

An empty former bank will be converted into a new HMO after plans were backed by Sandwell Council.

The former NatWest bank in High Street, Smethwick, would be split into two new units and converted into a 12-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) with shared facilities as part of a planning application submitted to Sandwell Council.

The larger unit would retain most of the bank’s original layout for class E commercial, business, and service use.

The second unit is expected to be used as a storage centre for safety deposit boxes according to the application submitted by Balwant Singh Nota from Midland Properties Holding.

The bank closed in August last year and has remained empty since.

In their decision, Sandwell Council’s planners said: “The development represents a highly sustainable, sensitive reuse of an important vacant, locally listed asset.

“It supports town centre vitality, respects local heritage, complies with HMO spatial rules, and presents no adverse highways or amenity impacts.”

The bank’s former offices, meeting rooms and storage space would become 12 new rooms with shared kitchen, dining, living room and bathroom facilities.

A statement included with the application said the work would retain as much “character and significance” of the locally listed building as possible as well as “secure its long-term viability.”

“The scheme retains and enhances the building’s historic character through the careful restoration of its significant architectural features whilst introducing only limited and sympathetic alterations to facilitate its continued use,” the statement said.

“The provision of flexible ground floor commercial accommodation will reinforce the vitality and viability of Smethwick High Street by maintaining active commercial frontages, whilst the conversion of the upper floors to a 12-bedroom HMO will make efficient use of previously underutilised space and contribute towards meeting identified housing needs within the borough.”

By Christian Barnett | Local Democracy Reporting Service