THE FORMER Halifax branch in Colwyn Bay will be converted into apartments and a commercial unit, after plans were approved.

The plans, submitted by Kaleem Ahmed, of Knightsbridge Property Development, will see the building’s ground floor become a shop, and the upper floors two apartments.

According to the planning application, the building currently houses three vacant flats, one flat on the first floor and two on the second.

The 7 Penrhyn Road site was previously home to the Halifax bank, which closed in 2019 citing a lack of footfall as a result of increased online banking.

The new additional flats would have a market value of £44,000 and £35,000 respectively.

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An earlier application for the building’s conversion was rejected last year, as it did not support the council’s affordable housing policy.

The plans were also met with opposition by neighbours Martin and Christine Seidel, who told the council the conversion showed a lack of “commitment” to restoring the building’s Victorian heritage.

However, a revision of the plans appears to have alleviated these fears, with Conwy County Borough Council conservation consultation stating: “The introduction of a traditional designed shopfront and matching doors will vastly improve the street scene.

“The existing, modern shopfront is inappropriate, and its removal will be of benefit to the conservation area.

“It is proposed to have a glazed brick stall riser, and a geometric Victorian tiled floor to the recessed doorways.

“Overall, this is an exemplar scheme in terms of improvements to the original façade.”

The development will lead to the creation of one full-time job.