PLANS to convert a Chester city centre bank into a boutique hotel have been given the go-ahead.

Cheshire West and Chester Council approved, on Wednesday, March 2, the plans to convert the Lloyds Bank building on Foregate Street into a new hotel which would consist of about 48 rooms over three floors.

Developers Buttress Architects Ltd said it was proposed to retain the ground floor frontage for retail use.

Applicants said the current Lloyds Bank building, and the adjoining 'Old Bank' building, were in 'fair' condition, with signs of timber decay and brick erosion.

The rear of the buildings would be demolished and replaced with "new buildings of high quality architecture", with minimal alterations to the frontage of the Lloyds Bank or the adjoining 'Old Bank' buildings.

Specifically, the flat roof single storey building would be demolished, along with the hipped two-storey rear sections of the buildings. In its place would be a two-and-a-half storey brick finish tripartite extension with gable roof, glazed atrium and service entrance off St John Street.

In a planning statement, the applicants said: "The proposed 48-room boutique hotel will arguably enhance the existing tourism offer with Chester and therefore its role as an international tourist destination, by providing high-quality visitor accommodation in the heart of the historic city within a unique historic building.

"The relatively modest scale of the proposed hotel is considered appropriate given its historic setting and the use is appropriate in this highly accessible city centre location."

The hotel would be accessed through the existing Foregate Street entrance and there would be a restaurant included in the hotel.

Historic England raised minor concerns to the proposal on heritage grounds, while Chester Civic Trust broadly welcomed the plans, particularly the retention and refurbishment of the retail units facing Foregate Street.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning officer acknowledged an area of concern relating to the large undercroft and service access which would serve the hotel and restaurant, as well as an electricity substation off St John Street.

But the council added: "It is also noted that the development would also allow the opening up of the listed building to the public through the proposed use and would allow increased visual

appreciation of the City Walls by the opening of rear yard.

"In addition, the applicant has also agreed to undertake public realm works within the St John Street frontage as an additional benefit to the scheme."

The council approved the application subject to a number of conditions relating to development works.

Chester is the subject of several hotel developments.

The Hotel opened in Newgate Street and Leonardo in Pepper Street last year.

Work is under way on building a £5 million boutique hotel by the Wildes Hotel Group in Bridge Street.

Plans have been unveiled to build a new 162-bedroom hotel on Frodsham Street, while there are also plans to bring Eaton Hotel on City Road back to life and a bid to convert a derelict church in Handbridge to an aparthotel.