Plans to convert Whitby’s former HSBC bank into a restaurant and holiday lets have been given the go-ahead by North Yorkshire Council.
Local businessman and lifeboat crew member Ali Hussain’s plan to convert the historic building into a bar and restaurant, which will include two holiday let flats on the upper floors of 4 – 5 Baxtergate, Whitby, was approved after the design was altered to improve the design of the project.
The scheme was supported by Whitby Town Council and received dozens of letters in support from residents.
The renovation will include a floating mezzanine floor constructed within the former banking hall, which has a vaulted ceiling with ornate plaster mouldings.
The bank’s former strong room is set to become a holding kitchen and cellar.
According to Historic England, the Grade-II Listed building was constructed in 1891 for the York City and County Bank. Most recently, until 2023, it was a branch of the HSBC bank.
Amendments to the original plan include the removal of a proposed terrace at the rear of the site after concerns were raised by the authority’s conservation officer.
Planners noted that there will be a series of external alterations to the listed building, “notably, to the rear of the site, a flat-roof extension will be replaced by a steel staircase providing access to the first-floor of the building, and to the self-contained flats”.
Officers said that the contemporary additions to the building will be located within a tight, enclosed area of the building to the rear that is not readily visible, and “therefore, it is considered that these alterations would preserve the interest of the listed building”.
North Yorkshire Council concluded: “On the whole, the harm caused by such works to the listed building would be outweighed by the public benefits of bringing a vacant building back into public use as a bar, restaurant, and holiday flats”.
The development was approved, subject to conditions, on Friday, October 3.
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