Plans to convert a dilapidated old bank building in Farnborough into an attractive apartment/hotel complex have been put on hold.

Progress on the scheme was stalled when developers Imperial Property Company of Farnborough withdrew their planning application for the new development.

When the Surrey & Hants Star contacted the developer’s agents, Turley Associates, to ask why the application had been withdrawn, they said it was simply to have sufficient time to complete the paperwork.
 
A spokesperson added that it was not as a result of the seemingly stagnant property market – and that the application would be resubmitted in due course.

The site in question is the old Midland Bank building facing the Clockhouse Roundabout at 2 Victoria Road, known as UK House.

The dated 1960s building has been vacant for more than two years.

The original application, submitted by Imperial Property on May 8, was to add on a fourth floor and a change of use of building to a 72-room “aparthotel” with a class A3 unit on the ground floor  to be used for a restaurant or similar.

The scheme would provide 25 studios and 52 one-bedroom apartments, geared towards business people.

The application detailed proposed façade alterations to make the building more attractive and sustainable, “in tandem with the on-going regeneration of Farnborough”.

Provision would be made for 29 car parking spaces and cycle storage for 30 bikes.

However, an objection was raised by an unnamed consultee that the proposal relied on the use of the existing “sub-standard and poorly laid out parking area”, and that the council would have to accept a substantially smaller parking provision to make way for tenants/guests.
There was also a question of whether or not there would be any adverse impact upon mature trees at the site.

The Imperial Property application was withdrawn on July 23.

A previous planning application, for the demolition of 1-5 Firgrove Parade, 225 Farnborough Road and UK House to provide an office building and 12, two-bedroom flats, was granted in 2001 – but the permission was never implemented and expired in 2006.