Crowthorne is set to have greater access to cash following Bracknell Forest borough council’s approval of plans for a change of use for a church building.
The application for the temporary change for part of the Crowthorne Baptist Church on the High Street were submitted by agents for Cash Access UK, the organisation responsible for banking hubs.
Those plans were approved by officers on June 24.
Documents that formed part of the application noted: “The application site comprises an existing office within Crowthorne Baptist Church, which is located on the High Street.
“This application seeks full planning permission for the change of use of an office within the church from Use Class F to Use Class E to allow the space to be used as a temporary Cash Hub for up to three years.
“The proposal is for temporary use whilst work is being undertaken to find a permanent building within the town centre.
“No external alterations are proposed to the building; it is simply a change of use of the building.”
Planning agents also noted that at the present time, there is no banking facility within Crowthorne.
“The nearest banks are situated in Bracknell, which is located five miles from the village.
“Therefore, there is a community need for a bank in the local area, and the site represents the optimal place for a temporary period.”
Cash Access UK is a not-for-profit company funded by major high street banks. They provide cash and basic banking services in communities across the UK. These include shared banking hubs and deposit services,
“The proposal will provide a cash facility within the settlement, which .. is still a key requirement in many high streets.”
It added that the plans “.. would support the vitality of the high street by reintroducing a use that generates footfall and supports local economic activity in the area.”
“Cash Access is seeking to convert a small portion of the building, currently an underused office, into a temporary cash hub located to the east of the building, away from the church itself and the community hall.
“This is to ensure that there is a local bank operating within the high street for all community residents, whilst Cash Access looks for a more permanent building. “Overall, the temporary change of use from part of a church to a banking facility is .. justified by delivering a clear community and economic benefit to Crowthorne high street.”
