A landmark site at the end of Walton Vale, which operated as a bank for nearly a century, is set to undergo partial demolition after plans were approved to convert the building into a new housing development.
Site History and Closure
The former NatWest Bank, situated on the corner of Cedar Road and Longmoor Lane, was a key banking hub for shoppers in the area. It closed for business in May 2025 and has remained vacant since. The closure was part of a broader trend, with NatWest shutting 105 UK branches in 2025 alone and over 1,500 since 2015. Last week, NatWest announced nine further closures, none in Merseyside.
Development Plans
A planning application by N.A.M Developments Ltd (formerly Bolden Developments Ltd) was approved on February 4, 2026, to convert the building from commercial use to housing, creating at least six flats. A separate application seeks permission for external alterations, including partial demolition, a new dormer, windows, boundary wall changes, and security gates, to add three more flats, totaling nine. The plans include new windows for natural light, car parking, and secure cycle storage.
Heritage Considerations
The former bank is a non-designated heritage asset with architectural and historic interest. Built in 1927 by the National Provincial Bank of England, designed by Frederick Charles Palmer, it features a neo-Georgian frontage. The heritage statement notes that the development involves converting the building for three additional residential apartments, distinct from the six already approved. Works include removing security grilles, repairing sash windows, creating a roof dormer, and partially demolishing rear and north extensions from the mid-to-late 20th century, which are not original. The principal neo-Georgian west elevation will remain unaltered.
The statement concludes that the proposal will secure the building's long-term viable use through sensitive residential conversion, ensuring its continued preservation.
