A PROPOSAL to convert a former town centre bank into flats has come before Cornwall Council.
The former Nat West building at Trehawke House occupies a prominent position on Dean Street in Liskeard, and is a Grade II listed property.
Applicants N and J Eadie are seeking pre-planning advice on a plan to remodel the interior to provide nine flats.
On the ground floor would be a retail unit and two serviced apartments for visitors.
On the upper floors would be a further seven one- and two-bedroom apartments for rent. There would be scope, say the applicants, to designate one of these for use as accommodation for the retail unit below.
A statement submitted to Cornwall Council reads: ’Mr and Mrs Eadie, the new owners of the site, are experienced business people with enterprises in Tavistock and Plymouth. They are keen to be involved in the Liskeard community, to invite comment and feedback from locals including the Town Council, and to integrate their proposed improvements into the larger regeneration of the Cattle Market area.
’In particular, the Market Approach will run alongside the site and this provides an opportunity to improve this area and the building significantly and to create a very desirable pedestrian link to the town centre.’
The application describes Trehawke House as a key feature of Liskeard’s townscape.
Originally built in the 1800s, much of the building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in the early 1900s.
As part of the scheme to convert the building, the applicants say they would reinstate some original classical features such as the shop front and sash windows, and where possible remove modern additions like the aluminium shop front and windows.
An existing single-storey link to a neighbouring property on Windsor Place would be replaced by a two-storey extension.
Liskeard’s mayor and town clerk were invited to tour the building not long after it was acquired by the applicants and the Town Council has submitted an informal response to the pre-planning application.
Overall the Council says it is very supportive of the proposals and is pleased that the new owners want to discuss the plans with the town. It welcomes the provision of residential and retail space and the fact that employment will be provided. The Council raises queries over the layout of the apartments and the living and amenity space provided.
To view the plans visit Cornwall Council’s online planning register and use reference PA20/01121/PREAPP.