Former bank in Farnham to be converted into flats

A Grade II listed former NatWest building in Surrey will be turned into housing despite locals' fears it could close a "treasured" bar and a grill.

Waverley Borough Council approved the application by JBS Development Solutions to build six new homes on the vacant site in The Borough, Farnham, at a planning committee meeting on 9 April, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The plans were agreed, despite the committee hearing it could "undoubtedly result in closure " of high street stalwart Borelli's.

Options were hamstrung however as Waverley Borough Council has a current housing requirement of 1,555 dwellings a year to meet housing targets.

The authority estimates there will only be 1,998 deliverable new homes across the next half decade.

Therefore, most developments, unless located in an area or involving an asset of particular importance, "should be granted", papers presented to the committee read.

David Quick owns Borelli's wine bar and restaurant which adjoins the building.

On weekends they "become a very popular busy music venue.. always at full capacity, with music volume being increased to suit the ambience of the bar".

He said: "The walls separating our restaurant with the proposed bedrooms in the former NatWest building, would result in serious noise complaints whatever sound proofing measures were put in.

"For any restrictions to be imposed on our business would undoubtedly result in closure and would reduce the value of my freehold and business considerably."

Councillor Graham White told the meeting Borelli's was a "very important business to the town" and "something we treasure".

Derek Copeland, speaking on behalf of the development, said the first consideration was the compatibility of residential homes and Borelli's.

He said: "There is absolutely no intention to create a situation where [Borelli's] is in any way threatened by would-be complaints.

"A single window with a modern three levels of insulation will provide sufficient sound insulation, coupled with insulation that would be placed on the inner surfaces of the walls to protect the residents of those properties, or would-be properties, from the noise from the outside."

He added:" You will not have any unwelcome residents next to you, in fact you'll probably find six new customers."

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