Updated plans to redevelop a former bank in Watford have been submitted to the borough council.

Permission to turn the old Lloyds Bank in St Albans Road into 14 flats and retail units was granted in early 2019, before the site was sold to a developer last year.

However, with no work believed to have started yet, a fresh planning application looking to tweak the original proposals was submitted this month.

Watford Observer: Left, the latest CGI showing brick instead of metal cladding. Right: a CGI of the plans already approved.Left, the latest CGI showing brick instead of metal cladding. Right: a CGI of the plans already approved. (Image: Sixfootstuido/ Fairfield Estates)

A covering letter outlines the key changes, which include using brick instead of metal cladding after recent building regulation changes relating to fire risks.

The developer also wants to reduce the window width to the angled corners on the second and third floors, and nominally increase the building height by 480mm.

As with the original plan, which was approved on appeal, the extension will be built on top of the existing bank façade.

Watford Observer: Another CGI of how the scheme could look.Another CGI of how the scheme could look. (Image: Sixfootstudio)

When the site was sold last year, Ben Howard of Perry Holt Chartered Surveyors, which marketed the property, said: “The building is in a highly prominent and sustainable location, so future residents will have public transport on their doorstep. The proposed development compliments the regeneration of the St Albans Road area nicely.

“We believe the new owner will be starting the project soon and is excited to be providing high-end apartment living with much-needed new commercial retail units.”

Watford Observer: Another angle of the potential flats scheme.Another angle of the potential flats scheme. (Image: Sixfootstudios)