Former NatWest building in town with no banks to be turned into luxury flats

A former NatWest building that has stood vacant for almost eight years will be turned into luxury apartments.

Developers WSP received planning permission to transform the old building on 55 High Street in Uppermill, Saddleworth, into six ‘spacious and contemporary’ apartments. 

NatWest was the only bank in Uppermill until its closure in 2017, leaving the town with only the Post Office and supermarket ATMs.

Since then the structure has stood empty, having a ‘detrimental effect on the character of the attractive surrounding area’, according to WSP agent Laura Miller. 

But now the building could soon become home to three one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments. While the façade will remain unchanged, the developers will add a glass-fronted roof extension with views over Uppermill Park. 

Planning permission was granted by the council despite six objections by locals. A number of local businesses lamented the loss of a commercial space on the town’s high street. One commented: “If commercial units are being turned into full residential properties then this will ultimately lead to the demise of the High Street”.

The developer noted they’d had discussions with Oldham Council about alternative uses for the building, including a hotel, restaurant or bar, but ultimately decided these weren’t viable.

Others raised concerns about parking and the impact on the surrounding conservation area.

But another resident argued: “I don’t think this gorgeous building should be left in a state of disrepair simply due to parking concerns.”

A statement submitted by the developer argued the development would ‘help secure the long-term future use of a non-designated heritage asset and provide new homes for the local community’.

Planning permission was granted under a number of conditions, including submitting a plan for waste management, building materials and the completion of a cycle storage space in the basement prior to anyone moving in. The developer will now have three years to start the conversion.