'Squatter haven' former bank could become flats

A former bank, which became "a haven for squatters and drug use", could be turned into flats along with a restaurant or shop.

The Barclays in Thetford, Norfolk, has been vacant since it closed in November 2022, after the company said the branch had a lack of customers.

A planning application has been submitted to Breckland District Council to bring the building back into use as homes and a retail unit or business serving food.

A surveyor's report warned the Grade II listed site has fallen into a poor condition after being broken into following Barclays' departure.

The surveyor said: "Since Barclays vacated the building, it was broken into and became a haven for squatters and drug-associated use.

"Due to this, the building was professionally secured to prevent entry. It has been empty for a while and now has started to deteriorate, many of the features listed have started to rot and fall apart.

"Upon my survey, I found a great deal of water ingress and one really needs to act quickly to save this building."

Under the submitted plans, the building would be turned into nine "luxury" flats along with a business on the ground floor.

The council will decide on the plans at a later date.

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