CHANGES to a shop front that used to be a bank within Oswestry’s conservation area in Cross Street were approved by Shropshire Council this week.

The plans, for 24 Cross Street, were given the green light by planning officers after being submitted in October this year.

The Grade II-listedbuilding, which currently houses the Dog N Bone Mobile Phone shop, was once Martins Bank Limited and still bears the hallmarks of the bank to this day.

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A statement for the application said: “The purpose of the proposal is to restore the façade and bring it more closely in line with the aesthetic expected from a conservation area.”

“The shop front is to be modified to reinstate the visual balance of the previous usage with an additional timber mullion.

“This design is shown upon historic photographs of the building when it was being used as a bank and the intention is to replicate this design as closely as possible.

“The façade is to be repainted and minor repairs carried out as necessary to render work to preserve the original quoin and cornice detailing.

“The entrance door borrowed light and below window stallriser signage shall be removed. A larger projecting hanging sign will replace the two fixed projecting signs currently in position.

“The purpose of the works is to enhance the existing conservation area by returning the building to its former appearance."

Shropshire Council planning officer Melanie Williams approved the proposal on behalf of applicant Emyr Richard Lloyd.

In her report, she said: “Oswestry town centre forms one of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) projects.

“And this shop front is one of a number of premises within the town centre which has been granted funding to provide a more suitable shop front for the Conservation Area.

“Currently the frontage is quite cluttered with the current signage.

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“The proposal is to remove all of this detail including the projecting sign and stall-riser signage plus window vinyl.

“Also proposed are repainting of the existing doors and windows plus ground floor render; re-painting and re-paring of the projecting cornice.

“The Conservation Team has been consulted and indicated support of the application from a heritage perspective; the team considers it will provide enhancement to both the listed building and conservation area and therefore is in line with both local and national policies.”