Developers unveil plan to turn listed bank building into homes

Plans to convert a listed former bank building in South Shields town centre into a large apartment complex have been officially submitted to council development bosses.

- by Chris Binding

South Tyneside Council's planning department has received change of use and listed building consent applications for the former Barclays Bank site in King Street.

Plans were previously approved to "decommission" the bank use at the Grade II-listed site as the banking chain relocated to a new location at the former Burton store at 64-66 King Street.

Back in 2024, private investor Regal Bifrons Properties announced plans to convert the building into 26 one-bedroom and studio apartments, subject to planning approval.

Around a year later, planning applications from the same investor have finally been registered with South Tyneside Council's planning department outlining plans for the future of the former bank site.

This includes the change of use of office space at the site into 21 apartments along with the retention of a ground floor commercial unit suitable for retail or a "food and drink offering".

Planning documents linked to the plans noted that "any fit out works/ advertisements associated with the retail space is to be covered by a future application".

Details of the residential scheme are set out in a design and access statement submitted to council officials which notes the development, if approved, would provide "21 high quality self-contained residential units" across four upper floors.

This would include 18 one-bed, two-person apartments and three studio apartments.