Prominent former bank building at heart of Dudley's 'medieval quarter' could be turned into block of flats

Developer Maz Hussain has submitted plans to redevelop the former NatWest building in Castle Street, at the heart of Dudley's 'medieval quarter'.

The four-storey building is situated in the shadow of Dudley Castle, and opposite St Edmund King and Martyr Church - known locally as 'Bottom Church' - which has stood on the site for about 1,000 years.

It was the construction of the castle, St Edmund's Church and St Thomas's Church - 'Top Church' - which led to the creation of the market and the birth of the town of Dudley. 

The bank closed in March last year, as part of a national closure programme by the banking giant. At the time, the deputy leader of Dudley Council asked for talks with NatWest about its plans for the building.

If approved, the scheme will see six new one-bedroom flats created at the site, although the banking hall at the front of the ground floor, and the basement below will be retained for retail use.

Architect Chris Ralphs, who drew up the plans, said the site was an important historic location.

"The site is on the medieval street known as Castle Street, located to the northern end of the main high street; which contributes to the character of this entrance to the market place area," said Mr Ralphs.

"Dudley town centre’s special historic interest is multi-layered, reflecting its development from a small market town in the Middle Ages, which served the chief castle of the barony, into the administrative centre of a large urban and industrial district."

He said Dudley's status as 'capital of the Black Country' was in large part down to its role as 'the centre of a medieval honour whose lords once held sway over estates right across what is now the West Midlands conurbation'.

"Each layer of historic interest is reflected in features of the historic environment, whether it is the spatial character of streets and market places, the architectural interest of buildings that make the familiar and cherished scene," he added.

Mr Ralphs said the building was not listed, but did lie in a conservation area.

The scheme will see one flat at the rear of the ground floor, one on the top floor, and two flats each on both the first and second floors. The existing metal-framed windows will be replaced with uPVC ones to meet modern building regulations.

The plans does not include any car parking, but Mr Ralph's said that, given the location, it would not be reasonable to refuse permission on those grounds.

Mr Ralphs said the proposed works would bring into use an empty building which made an important contribution to the conservation area.

"The experience of Dudley as an historic market town that is an attractive location to live, shop or work is one of the features that will help it to compete with modern out-of-town centres," he said.

"This represents an opportunity for development that will play an important role in the changing face of the high street."