Plans submitted for closure of Halifax in Bridgwater

The bank, found at 17 Fore Street, announced that the Bridgwater branch would close in November last year.

The group said Halifax in Bridgwater will close on April 23, 2024 due to a lack of footfall and following an 'in-depth review' of the branch.

In the planning application to remove signage and the existing cash machine, Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax, stated the future use of the premises is 'not known'.

If plans are approved, all signs will be removed from the property, including the car parking sign at the rear - the fascia for the existing signs will be painted black, with the engraved text and logo on the mail box face to be 'carefully and neatly ground down'.

At the time of the closure announcement, a Halifax spokesperson said: “As many customers now choose to bank online or through their mobile app, visits to the Bridgwater branch have fallen over recent years. 

“The local Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close by free-to-use ATMs, alongside other ways to bank such as online, phone and mobile banking services.”

And in a closing branch review, Halifax said: “You can use any of our branches and the nearest alternative is the Taunton branch.

“And after the branch closes, we’ll have a community banker visit this area. They can offer support and guidance on the ways you can bank with us.”

Halifax says 224 customers used the branch at 17 Fore Street regularly in the year to July 2023.

A total of 69 per cent of its Bridgwater customers have also used other Halifax branches, online banking or telephone banking.

Nearly a quarter of the branch's customers (23 per cent) have used the Post Office for their banking needs.

Sedgemoor planning round-up

The following planning applications were received by Somerset Council between March 15 and March 22.

For more details, and to comment on applications, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land.

01/24/00009: Replacement of existing timber windows to timber look UPVC windows at 2 Eton Court, Bath Road, Ashcott, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9PA.

03/24/00004: Replacement of 2No. 9m medium poles with 1No. 11m stout pole and 1No. 10.5m lazy leg. Replacement of 50kVA pole mounted transformer with 100kVA pole mounted transformer at Land opposite, Kingsway, to the North of, Bristol Road, Tarnock, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26.

08/24/00035: Removal of softwood C20th extension to rear of Victorian terrace and replace with slimline Heritage powder coated double glazed windows modules of identical glazing style in approval RAL colour to match existing external joinery in Angel Crescent at 6-8 Angel Crescent, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3EW.

08/24/00037: Retrospective Application for the installation of a fascia sign at Cafe And Premises, Bridgwater Bus And Coach Station, Carvers Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5AT

08/24/00043: Installation of shutter to the front elevation at 13 High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BE.

08/24/00050: Erection of a single storey extension to North elevation on site of existing conservatory (to be demolished) at 4 Avebury Drive, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4UR.

08/24/00052: Request for further partially discharge of requirement BRIA5 relating to landscape works and requirement BRIA7 relating to lighting for Sedgemoor Campus at Innovia Site, Bridgwater A, Bath Road, Bridgwater, Somerset.

10/24/00003: Upgrade of an existing 11kv overhead line to add a 3rd wire (phase) and 1No. supporting stay. Ref: 4825252 at Land to the North and South of, Road Through Broomfield To Lydeard Cross, and to the East and West of, Broomfield Road, Broomfield, Bridgwater, Somerset

11/24/00006: Internal renovations to facilitate the installation a mezzanine floor and rooflights to the East and West elevations at Gospel Tabernacle Evangelical Church, Burnham Road, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3JG.

11/24/00009: Erection of canteen and storage buildings on site of existing (to be demolished), with link to existing building at 2 Bolton Close, Highbridge, TA9 4JR

11/24/00018: Erection of a single storey extension to the front SW elevation at 9 Holm Close, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 1NJ.

11/24/00021: Erection of a single storey side extension to South elevation partially on site of existing (to be demolished) and installation of a new roof with increase in ridge height. The addition of a first floor and dormer windows to the East and West Elevation at 24 Margaret Crescent, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 1BX

13/24/00003: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to 2No. Dwellinghouses (Class C3) and associated building operations at Chilton Trivett Farm, Blackmore Lane, Cannington, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2LG

14/24/00002: Erection of 2no. lodges and associated landscape works at 1 The Nydon, Catcott, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9HQ

17/24/00011: Erection of an Agricultural Storage Building at Land at, Upper Draycott Road, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27

18/23/00011: Installation of 26 solar panels externally along northern boundary of site and associated meters and distribution boxes at Banfield Barn, Higher Road, Chedzoy, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 8QT

25/24/00004: Proposed off street parking at 81 Church Road, East Huntspill, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3NG

31/24/00006: Erection of Livestock Building and Formation of Track and Hardstanding at Land to the South of Bleadon Bridge, East of Bridgwater Road, Lympsham, Weston-super-mare, Somerset, BS24

37/24/00018: Erection of agricultural building and formation of track and hardstanding at Land East of Spanish Hill, North Newton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7

37/24/00022: Creation of vehicle access and off road parking to include demolition of boundary wall at Land forward of, 52 and 54, Old Road, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6

37/24/00023: Change of use of units 1607 & 1609 from light industrial to uses falling within Use Classes B2 and B8 (partially retrospective) at Land To The SW Of Stockmoor Distributor Road And NW Of, Taunton Road, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset

37/24/00027: Change of use and conversion of agricultural barns to form 3no. dwellings, including demolition of surrounding agricultural buildings, parking and landscaping at West Newton Farm, Adsborough Lane, West Newton, Bridgwater, TA7 0DA

38/24/00004: Erection of three bedroom detached house, and alteration to existing access from private lane, to provide car parking for existing bungalow and proposed dwelling at The Bungalow, North Lane Farm, North Lane, Othery, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0QG

39/24/00003: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed erection of a single story extending 5.062m from the rear West elevation on site of existing conservatory (to be demolished) at 2 Harbour View, Combwich, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2QU

40/24/00003: Erection of part single, part two storey extension to the North and South elevations and installation of solar PV panels to roof of the South elevation at Quantock Farm Bungalow, Cockercombe Road, Over Stowey, Bridgwater, TA5 1HJ

41/24/00004: Erection of a rear single storey extension to the West elevation at 15 Monmouth Farm Close, Pawlett, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4SP

45/24/00005: Application to determine if prior approval is required for the proposed erection of a portal steel frame agricultural building at Bush Farm, Bush Lane, Spaxton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1AH

49/24/00005: Certificate of Lawfulness for the existing use of the existing annex at The Old Vicarage at The Old Vicarage, Coombe Lane, Weare, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2LE

49/24/00006: Proposed Access Alterations at Meadowbank, Sparrow Hill Way, Weare, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2LA

50/24/00015: Erection of a single storey extension to NW elevation at 2 Springfield Drive, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4BT

51/24/00004: Erection of new agricultural barn, including siting of rainwater harvesting tanks and associated hardstanding at Land to the North East of Pippin's Rhyne, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5

53/24/00004: Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed construction of a single storey rear extension. Extension to measure 3 metres in depth from the rear elevation of the existing house. Extension to incorporate a lean to roof and uses materials similar to those used on the existing dwelling at 27 Grays Avenue, Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0HP

54/24/00004: Variation of Condition 2 of Planning Permission Application No. 54/23/00005 (Erection of a self-build dwelling and detached double garage/workshop with new access, including the change of use of agricultural land to residential use.) to vary approved plans listed in schedule A at Plot B, Newhouse Farm, Reeds Drive, Woolavington, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7.

01/24/00008: Erection of 1no. agricultural tied dwelling at Ashcott Farm, High Street, Ashcott, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9QA

08/24/00054: Removal of external signage and and external ATM at 17 Fore Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3NH

10/24/00002: Extension of existing access trail at Cothelstone Hill to include the installation of 2no.benches at Land to the South of, Park End Road, Broomfield, Bridgwater

11/24/00023: Erection of a detached double garage on site of existing (to be demolished) at 1 Herbert Road, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2HE.

11/24/00024: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed conversion of a vacant first floor dining area and storage to two self contained two bedroom flats. To convert part of the restaurant facing Victoria Street to self contained office at 75 High Street, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 1PE

12/24/00003: Erection of a commercial building (Unit 4A) at Land To The South Of, Westfield House, Edithmead, Highbridge, Somerset

12/24/00004: Proposed change of use of former holiday let to a two bedroom dwelling at Cherry May Farm, Puddys Lane, Watchfield, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4LA

23/24/00002: Erection of an agricultural storage building at Floodgates Farm, Rhode Lane, Durleigh, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2AF.

37/24/00017: Variation of conditions of Planning Permission 37/23/00015 (Approval of reserved matters, for the demolition of an existing garage and the erection of 5no. dwellings.) to add a condition covering the plans in section A and to further amend plans in section at Lovens Farm, Petherton Road, North Newton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0BD.

37/24/00019: Change of use of redundant poultry farm buildings to light industrial (Use Class E g) (iii) and storage (within Use Class B8) at Former Poultry Farm on, Land to the South of, Church Road, North Newton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7.

51/24/00005: Erection of a single storey extension to the side East elevation and rear South elevation partially on site of existing conservatory (to be demolished) at 22 Meadow Park, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7QE

53/24/00005: Erection of a side extension to the East elevation at 62 Main Road, Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0ED.