The old NatWest bank closed in May last year and has been vacant ever since
18:49, 14 Jun 2026
Former NatWest Bank on Cedar Road(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A landmark site, located at the end of Walton Vale and which operated as a bank for almost 100 years, is set to undergo partial demolitions works, after plans were approved to convert the building into a new housing development.
The former NatWest Bank sits on the corner of Cedar Road and Longmoor Lane, and was considered an important banking hub for people shopping in and around ‘the Vale’. However, the bank closed for business in May last year and has remained vacant ever since.
It was one of several branch closures by NatWest over the last 18 months, with the banking group shutting down 105 UK branches in 2025 alone and more than 1,500 since the start of 2015, according to reports.
Furthermore, and just last week, NatWest Group announced a further nine branch closures, including outlets for both NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland – none of which are located in Merseyside.
Former NatWest Bank on Cedar Road(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The Walton Vale site is located in a busy urban area, well served by public transport, largely surrounded by housing, and easily walkable to nearby shops and other services. There are no implications for ‘safe access’, according to the proposal, as residents will utilise the same front door as former NatWest staff and customers.
A planning application was submitted on behalf of N.A.M Developments Ltd, a real estate company incorporated in 2019, and formerly known as Bolden Developments Ltd. The proposal was to convert the building from commercial use to housing, which was approved on February 4, 2026, and will see the creation of at least six flats within the property.
In expectation of building an additional three flats, bringing the total development to nine flats, there is also an adjoining planning application which seeks permission to carry out external alterations, including partial demolition works, the insertion of a new dormer and windows, alterations to boundary walls, and the introduction of security gates.
In effect, this will mean new widows to satisfy the ‘natural light requirement’, and new car park spaces and secure cycle stores.
This secondary proposal is accompanied with a Heritage Statement which acknowledges that the former NatWest Bank is considered to possess a ‘degree of architectural and historic interest’ which merits consideration in planning decision-making, but confirms it is a non-designated heritage asset.
Former NatWest Bank on Cedar Road(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
According to this document, the building was constructed as a purpose-built bank in 1927 by the National Provincial Bank of England (NPBE), and designed by its in-house architect, Frederick Charles Palmer. The bank was constructed during the ‘bank branch building boom’, and many of the original features service until this day, including its neo-Georgian frontage.
In relation to the additional housing proposal, which is still awaiting approval, the heritage statement adds: “The proposed development involves a full conversion of the building for residential use, to accommodate three residential apartments. The three apartments proposed as part of this full planning application are additional to, and distinct from, the six apartments previously submitted and approved under permitted development regulations.”
The works will involve the removal of security grilles from windows, the retention and repair of existing sash windows, creation of a roof dormer, partial demolition of the rear flat roofed extension, and demolition of the small flat roofed extension to the north elevation.
Former NatWest Bank on Cedar Road(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The rear and north facing extensions date from the mid-to-late 20th century, are not part of the building’s original design, and its believed the removal of that section will not affect the appreciation of the principal historic façade.
The statement continued: “External works are limited in scope and have been carefully designed to preserve the overall architectural character and distinctive Neo-Georgian frontage.” Concluding: “[This proposal] will secure the long-term viable use of the building through sensitive residential conversion, ensuring its continued maintenance and preservation.
“The principal Neo-Georgian west elevation, which embodies the building’s primary architectural and historic significance, will remain unaltered in its form and composition. External works are limited in scale, largely confined to secondary and rear elevations, and predominantly affect later or non-historic fabric.”