Debate over plans to turn Trowbridge bank into flats

Plans to turn the site of what used to be a Barclays branch at 3 Fore Street, Trowbridge, into six flats were filed with the council on December 2, 2025.

If approved, the scheme would see the old bank – a listed building with permission for commercial use – become two two-bed apartments, with a four-storey block containing four one-bed flats built behind the main building.

According to the plans, the rear single storey modern extension to the former bank will be demolished to reinstate the circular rear bay overlooking the proposed courtyard.

The agents acting on behalf of the applicant said they engaged Wiltshire Council in a pre-application enquiry, receiving feedback on the proposals before filing them.

According to the statement, regarding the proposed four-storey block behind the main building, Wiltshire Council said: “The proposal for a four-storey building would be in contrast to the two-storey and attic of the existing Grade II* listed building. However, there are larger buildings flanking the rear of the site and therefore the scale of the proposal may be considered acceptable if sufficiently well detailed.”

The application appears to have the support of several key stakeholders in decision making in the town. On December 18, 2025, Trowbridge Town Council said it had no objection to the plan.

On February 21, Kevin Eames, writing on behalf of Trowbridge Civic Society said: “Trowbridge Civic Society recognises the need to find a new viable use for the existing historic building, and consider it has the potential for some sub-division.

“We would recommend, however, that the Council be satisfied that its Conservation Officer is content that any harm to the interior has been minimised, and that the scale of the new development at the rear does not result in overdevelopment.”

The interior of the building. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

However, the specifics of the plan have also caused others to file objections to the plan. Matthew Drew, managing partner of Goughs Solicitors, located at 2 Fore Street, said the firm would support a change of use from commercial to residential, but objected to the four-storey block proposed for the rear of the property.

Mr Drew said the large block would “overshadow and dominate” the rear of the existing historical structures. He has also suggested the plans that have been submitted are not accurate, stating that a drawing “clearly shows the proposed four storey apartment block abutting, by at least a metre or so, the two-storey rear part of our building.”

Additionally, Mr Drew highlighted issues of privacy and noise that could arise from having so many flats in the confined space of the property.

A decision is expected on the application by March 9, according to the planning portal page.

The listed building has been vacant for more than three years, after Barclays closed the branch for good on Friday, September 2, 2022. The move followed closures in Devizes, Marlborough, Warminster and Westbury around the time.

Following the announcement of the closure, one customer at the bank was reported to have told this paper: “This is not good for Wiltshire citizens with the demise of their Westbury, Devizes and Warminster branches.

“Not everyone has access to the internet or have a mobile phone or tablet to do online banking.”

Other plans to turn other properties in Trowbridge into flats are also moving forward. In January, new proposals for a block of homes on Castle Street were filed. The latest application is looking to build two homes, a change from the six developers previously obtained permission for.

Meanwhile, on December 17, Wiltshire Council approved Stone Developments’ plan to demolish part of Trinity Education Centre on Park Street in Trowbridge, and convert it into seven dwellings.