A BANKING giant's plans to revamp it's Bradford city centre branch could "harm the special interest" of one of the city's most striking buildings.

Natwest had planned to refurbish the inside of its branch on Hustlergate, a grade II building dating back to 1867.

The company said it planned to remove all fitted furniture and counters to provide an open counter service, fully redecorate the interior and remove and fit new external signage.

But Bradford Council has refused to grant listed building consent for the plans, saying the application did not reflect the significance of the building, nor provide enough information about how the works could impact it.

The building was built for Bradford Commercial Bank to the designs of local architects Andrews and Pepper, and in addition to its ornate exterior it has a grand banking hall with an ornately patterned ceiling. This ceiling is visible from the buildings large windows. Along with the Wool Exchange, the building is seen as one of the architectural gems of the city centre, and a reminder of when Bradford was one of the richest cities in the country.

Natwest had planned to use "dusted crystal vinyl on some of the building's large windows, and this was one of the main bones of contentions for planning officers. Their report said: "The large arched ground floor windows are shown as being filled in with a dusted crystal vinyl. No further information is given as to how this will affect views into the banking hall, but it is likely it will obscure views into the building and thus the banking hall ceiling.

"The original intention of these highly ornate ceilings was that they could be seen from the outside of the building, thus advertising the prestige of the company. Infilling the windows will require compelling justification."

It also criticises the lack of detail over plans to redecorate the ceiling, adding: "Given the importance of the historic paintwork, it is imperative the implications of this work are properly described.

"The proposal harms the individual qualities of this building directly through inappropriate works or potentially by providing insufficient information or justification for the works."

Alan Hall of Bradford Civic Society said: "I support the council's decision wholeheartedly. It is one of the most important buildings in the city with a fantastic history. I have had people come to Bradford specifically to look at this building and the Wool Exchange.

"It is a building we need to cherish and not let a multi national company say they will change things about a bit. It shows a bit of carelessness that Natwest hasn't taken these issues into account. I'd be very nervous about some vague plan to alter the building.

"Well done Bradford Council."

A Natwest spokesman said: "We are aware of the decision and are considering our options."