A DOORWAY to a listed former bank that was replaced with a now boarded-up cashpoint is set to be restored.
Planning permission for the conversion of the former Lloyd TSB bank in Hanbury Road, in Pontypool’s conservation area, was granted by Torfaen Borough Council’s planning department in April.
Applicants S & J Real Estate Holdings Limited, which bought the grade II-listed building in 2024, has now been granted retrospective permission for the removal of the ATM cashpoint, which was carried out before the firm purchased the building and to remove the masonry used to fill the hole in the wall.
It has also been given permission for reinstating the former doorway and to remove the internal cashier desks and security partitions inside the former banking hall which it is intended to remain in A2 use that covers financial and professional services.
A report by planning officer Tom Braithwaite said reinstating the former door will restore improve the appearance of the building and could help find an occupier for the ground floor.
His report said: “The proposal would see an improvement to the character and appearance of the Listed Building, reinstating historic access arrangements to the ground floor” and added it “could potentially facilitate new ownership and occupation of the A2 unit to the ground floor”.
The council’s heritage officer said the modern banking desk and screens and are of “negligible significance” and “removal would have a positive impact on the significance and character of the Listed Building.”
The building is understood to have originally had two doorways, at either end of the part of the building facing Hanbury Road, and restoration would “restore symmetry to the primary elevation” according to the heritage officer.
Further details for the demolition works and new joinery for the proposed oak doorway, as well as a surround and fanlight, will be required via a condition on the permission.
The bank closed in 2019 and the building, that dates from 1875-78 is attached to the south to Glantorvaen House that is also Grade II listed, has been vacant since.