Former Barclays branch set to be transformed into 100 ‘co-living’ flats with no car parking

The plans include a cinema room and communal areas

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Barclays Bank on Church Street is set to be transformed into a block of more than 100 flats, according to plans. Application documents submitted to Peterborough City Council reveal plans to extend and infill the brutalist-style building to create 104 “high-quality co-living units”.

The ground floor and basement will still be retained for commercial use. Barclays Bank also recently submitted a planning application to take over the former Sports Direct unit on Long Causeway so that it can open a new, larger branch within the city centre.

The company is on a push to re-open high street branches so that it can once again offer an “all-important in-person experience,” rolling back on a wave of closures which has left them with just over 200 branches across the UK.

According to documents labelled “former Barclays Bank” prepared by the FRONT architectural office, the new bedsit-style co-living units will be “affordable housing for professional individuals” within the city centre.

“All residential units have access to communal facilities including kitchens, social spaces, library/reading areas and laundry benefits,” FRONT states. A cinema room and large communal areas are also included in the plans.

While all of the small, single aspect units are designed for single occupancy, they will meet or exceed the minimum HMO (house in multiple occupation) size standards set by Peterborough City Council of 11sq/m for a bedroom and 13 sq/m for a studio (excluding en-suite facilities).

There will be no car parking available, although the revamped basement will offer secure cycle storage capable of accommodating around 120 bikes. The application will now be considered by Peterborough City Council and can be viewed on its planning portal, using reference 26/002223/FUL.