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Flats could be built above NatWest and Wimpy in Sittingbourne High Street

14:45, 19 January 2024

Thirty flats could be built above a high street bank and a fast-food restaurant.

Two separate applicants have been submitted, one for 22 flats above Natwest and another for eight above Wimpy, both in Sittingbourne.

NatWest in Sittingbourne. Picture: Google Maps
NatWest in Sittingbourne. Picture: Google Maps

Sleek Direct London Limited, has applied to Swale council for change of use of the first and second floors of 87 High Street and 1 to 5 Central Avenue, above the bank, from offices to residential.

It also wants to add an extra floor to the main building and a three-story rear extension for flats.

The existing ground floor and basement of the application site is occupied by Natwest and the first floor offices are part in use by the bank and other separate companies.

Sleek Direct London Ltd hopes to create a total of 22 self-contained flats.

Part of the car parking area would remain, providing seven spaces.

Three would be for the use of Natwest and the remaining four would be for the use of people living in the flats.

Plans for the 22 flats in Sittingbourne High Street above NatWest. Picture: Swale Planning Portal
Plans for the 22 flats in Sittingbourne High Street above NatWest. Picture: Swale Planning Portal

A spokesman for the applicant said: “It has been demonstrated that this proposal would respect the character of the local area and would not appear out of character with the surrounding area.

“The proposal would not result in any unacceptable harm to the existing adjacent premises and would also provide a good quality of accommodation to the future occupiers of this development.”

For more information, click here and enter 23/505558/FULL.

The second applicant hoping to build on Sittingbourne’s High Street is Regaland Ltd.

It wants to change the use of the first floor of 121 High Street from commercial, business and service use to eight residential units.

Wimpy and the empty unit next to it in Sittingbourne High Street. Picture: Google Maps
Wimpy and the empty unit next to it in Sittingbourne High Street. Picture: Google Maps

The existing building was historically divided to provide two commercial units and was an Argos from the late 1980s to 2017.

Currently on the ground floor, there is a fast food restaurant that has been operated by Wimpy since 2017.

The unit next door and the first floor of the building are empty.

For more information enter 23/504679/PNMA into the planning portal.

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