A FORMER bank on a busy Bournemouth high street could be converted into a coffee shop, under new plans lodged to the council. 

The old NatWest bank at the junction of Wimborne Road and Talbot Road in Winton could become a coffee shop. 

Applicant Abdulrahman Altawalah wants to open a cafe on the ground floor also featuring a children's play area.

This would involve building an extension at the rear of the former bank, which closed in 2017.

A one-bed studio flat will also be created on the ground floor, according to documents submitted to the council. 

Ten separate self-contained flats consisting of two two-bedrooms, seven one-bedrooms and another studio flat will be made on the upper floors.

Bournemouth Echo:

A design and access statement said: “Whilst the alterations proposed to the former bank building will be visible from Talbot Road and Bryanstone Walk, we feel that the use of matching and sympathetic materials, matching design styles and features will ensure that the proposals fit with their surroundings. 

“To address the most visible aspects of the proposals, namely the incorporation of required items at ground levels, such as bin storage and cycle storage, these will be selected and built to respect the colour scheme and materials palette of existing properties in the conservation area. 

“However, given the proven difficulties of companies to sustain such premises, with the costs of a large footprint site and extensive curtilage as well as being outside the immediate town centre area the premises did not appeal to prospective owners or commercial tenants.” 

A decision on the proposal has yet to be made and comments can be submitted on the council’s planning application portal.