An Essex businessman is planning to open a bar and restaurant in the former premises of the NatWest bank in the High Street.
Peter Faires is director of Choice Ware Ltd, who have submitted a planning application for change of use from A2 (Financial) to A4 (Drinking Establishment), along with additional extraction and ducting at the rear of the building.
Mr Faires was also a director of Choice Management Ltd, who applied to convert the former NatWest Bank in Brentwood into a bar and restaurant named The Vault.
In documents submitted to the district council, the applicant states: "This proposal has been handled with care to make sure no close by neighbours or locals will negatively affected. All aspects have been dealt with to create the most eco friendliest and most beneficial proposal to the locals and the potential users of the business."
The proposed opening times of the new bar and restaurant are 7:30am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 7:30am to 2:30am Friday & Saturday, and 9am to 10:30pm on Sundays.
The application has been met with strong opposition from residents, with 50 objections being lodged to date, many people commenting that the opening times are inconsistent with the proposed use of the building.
A public consultation on the proposals ends on 5th June. More information about the plans can be found on the council's planning portal.
A decision on the application will be made by a planning officer in the coming weeks.