Plans were put forward for the Nationwide Building Society in the Market Place in Fakenham.

The proposals would see a new ATM and accessible ramp being installed outside the branch.

This will ensure the machine is available to all due to the variance of external to internal levels.

The proposals would see a new ATM being installed outside the branch (Image: Google)

According to planning documents, Nationwide is the “sole remaining bank” in the town.

This follows the closures of HSBC in May 2023, NatWest in August 2023, Barclays in October 2023, and Lloyds Bank last year.

The company has publicly committed to keeping all of its branches open until at least the start of 2030 – with the Nationwide in Fakenham expected to remain for a further three-and-a-half years.

It was said the revamp will “improve accessibility” and “restore convenient public access to essential banking services” following the removal of a previous centralised machine from the site.

A spokesman for the organisation added: “Maintaining accessible cash facilities within the town is considered important for residents, local businesses, and visitors, and contributes positively to the town’s economic vitality.

“The proposal balances the preservation of the building’s character with the need to provide an essential community service, offering a meaningful economic and social benefit to Fakenham town centre”.

A decision on the plans will be made by North Norfolk District Council later this week (Image: Newsquest)

It also highlighted that there would be “no permanent harm to the architectural integrity of the building” as a result of the proposal.

However, the plans were recommended for refusal after concerns were raised over the “impact and protrusion” of the development into the open space.

Planning officers added that the proposal would “would obscure features of architectural or historical interest” and is “uncharacteristic of a building’s design”.

A decision will be made by North Norfolk District Council at a development committee meeting on Thursday (July 16).

To view the plans in full, visit the council’s planning portal, using the reference: PF/26/0688.