Plans are back on the table to transform a former bank on an Isle of Wight High Street, despite being rejected multiple times.
Work on the former Lloyds Bank, in the heart of Sandown town centre, started last year to upgrade and repair the building.
The work has not finished as planning permission is sought to turn the building mostly into a private dwelling but now with extended space for a commercial unit on the ground floor.
It follows concerns from the Isle of Wight Council that a shop would be lost in the town centre so a small, lockup commercial premises has been included in the latest proposals.
Plans say it could be suitable for professional office space and small enough to attract interest in the commercial market as larger retail units in the town continue to stand empty.
The house could have 4 bedrooms, a breakfast room and a garden room.
You can view the plans, 23/01611/FUL, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 27th October.
Who the hell would want to live there?
I think we can cope with losing one shop. It’ll be one less food place in the area for sure.
One less charity shop, one less betting shop, one less pet shop.
I honestly think the only thing that can save Sandown High Street is to knock it down and rebuild it, from one end to the other.
Obviously that will never happen, so what’s the answer?
It’s such a depressing place. None of the shops, save for the small supermarkets, look inviting. There’s none that make you want to go inside and have a look around. I know from talking to friends who have visited that tourists think the same. The general comment is along the lines of ‘run-down’.
Perhaps an Israeli missile could be diverted in that direction.
Having a proper tourist strip in sandown would be good ,arcades,casinos,pubs restaurants,gift shops ,escape rooms ect , nicely lit up at night with proper decorative lighting
You had me up to “escape rooms”.
Ideal place for a much needed banking hub and post office.