Nat West Bank, Helston decision made on flats conversion

The application to refurbish and convert the old NatWest building on Meneage Street in Helston was approved this week by Cornwall Council The plan to turn the mid-18th century building into four residential flats was submitted by Tracey Gravell of Morning Developments Ltd.

The bank’s old interview room would make way for a new flats development (Image: Supplied)

The refurbishment plans will include an extension to the rear of the second floor with major internal walls being retained and minor adaptations introduced.

The building is located in Helston’s conservation area on one of the main shopping street in the centre of the town and is surrounded by other mixed-use commercial and residential buildings.

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It was built in the Mid C18 as a residential property. It has dominated its surroundings ever since. The building was listed in 1972.

A bank occupied the property for over 80 years, adapting and extending it to provide the space and facilities required.

The 1970's strong room (Image: Supplied)

As a result, most of the original internal arrangements to the ground floor have been lost, with only a small portion of those, in the original basement, retained. Two extensions to the rear of the building were added in the 1960s and ‘70s, providing more space for the bank to operate, including a new strong room.

The Helston branch of NatWest closed in June 2017.

The stripped cashiers' area (Image: Supplied)

Originally part of the bank’s accommodation, the flat (29A Meneage Street) was converted into an opticians before being converted back into a residential property.

The view from the flat roof area over the former strong room. (Image: Supplied)

The flat is under separate ownership and outside of the scope of the conversion.