Maltings contractors lodge plans for former Barclays Bank in Berwick
The former Barclays Bank site in Berwick could be brought back into temporary use.
Plans seeking permission for minor alterations to the Grade II listed property on Hide Hill have been submitted.
Willmott Dixon Construction, appointed under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement to develop the design for the rebuild of The Maltings theatre, want to create a temporary site office and welfare facility.
A report on the applicant’s behalf states: “The former Barclays Bank is ideally suited as a temporary site office and welfare facility, offering the right amount of space and within reasonable proximity to the proposed development site.
"Works are restricted to minor alterations to internal partitions at ground and first floor level. The internal partition walls to be removed at first floor level were constructed in 1995 and there will be no effect on the original historic fabric and structure of the building.
“Installation of the sanitaryware, cubicles and fitted kitchen units will have negligible effect on the existing structure and fabric. The facilities are positioned to make use of existing internal power, water and waste drainage distribution.”
The report continues: “The proposal will enable occupation of a disused building in a prominent position within the town’s historic centre, preventing any further degradation of the historic fabric.
"The use as site office and welfare facilities for the nearby construction works will enable these to go ahead smoothly and reduce visual impact from temporary cabins on site.
"The location of the building will enable site staff to travel between it and the site on foot, avoiding increased vehicular traffic should the site office be more remote from the site. The occupation of the town centre building by staff for the duration of the site works will be a boost to local businesses.”
The former bank building has been vacant since February 2024.
Berwick Town Council is exploring the possibilities of buying the property in a potential £1.3m project to create a new council hub alongside affordable housing. However, the idea is still in its early stages.
The £26m redevelopment of The Maltings is scheduled to start in early autumn. Detailed design work is currently being done after refinements to the scheme were approved by planners in March.