A BID to change the use of a former bank has been given the go-ahead two and a half years after plans were first submitted.

The former Santander branch in Monmouth’s Agincourt Square had been left unused since the Spanish-owned bank pulled out of the town in May 2019, according to an application seeking permission to change its use class.

That was submitted to Monmouthshire County Council’s planning department in December 2023 and officials have now approved the changes, and issued a formal decision, in July 2026.

Owner Gay Rogers, of the the Barry Island Cottage Company Ltd, which is registered at Agincourt Square, has been granted permission to change the use class of the ground floor from financial services to retail.

Planners have also allowed the change of use of the first and second floors to residential and they will be converted to two self-contained apartments.