Plans to convert the upper floors of the former NatWest bank building in Frome into two residential flats have been given the green light.

Somerset Council has granted full planning permission for the proposed development at 4 Market Place, which will retain the ground floor for commercial use while creating two self-contained flats above.

The scheme, submitted by applicant L Brindley and managed by Salmon Planning Company, includes a series of external alterations — including a Juliet balcony, roof lanterns and replacement windows — as well as the reconfiguration of the internal space.

The building, which sits at the corner of Market Place and Cork Street, was originally built around 1830 and is Grade II listed. Once an assembly room and later a bank, it has been vacant since NatWest closed its doors in 2023.

A previous application had already secured prior approval for residential use, but this latest permission formalises the design, layout, and heritage-sensitive alterations required to bring the space back into use.

The developer says the project will deliver social, economic and environmental benefits, including much-needed housing in a highly sustainable town centre location. A report cited Frome's shortfall in housing supply, with the former Mendip area currently estimated to have just 2.21 years' worth of housing stock — well below the government's five-year target.

Heritage assessments concluded that the works would either improve or have a neutral impact on the listed building, with many of the changes focused on the less historically significant rear elevations. Some poor-quality modern additions from the 1960s and 70s — including ventilation grilles and mismatched windows — will be replaced as part of the scheme.

In addition to the new homes, the ground floor unit will be retained for commercial use, with the developer stating it hopes to see the space reoccupied and contributing to the economic vitality of the town centre.

The flats will use an existing bin store with access onto Cork Street, and the site's central location means it is within walking distance of shops, services, and public transport, making it well-suited to car-free living.

Planning permission was granted by Somerset Council on 16 June 2025.