Until last year the people of Clifton Village were using the Grade II* listed building as a bank, but it could soon be serving up something altogether more tasty.

Plans have been submitted to transform the former Natwest branch in picturesque Caledonia Place into a high quality restaurant.

The plans have been put in by Troia UK Restaurants Limited.

If planning permission is granted the restaurant would be called The Ivy Restaurant and Grill, would feature an orangery, and would create employment for 70 staff.

People living in the area were made aware of the planning application earlier this week.

The late Georgian property (1833-1840), which was converted to a bank in 1922, is within the Clifton and Hotwells Conservation Area.

The site has been vacant since Natwest departed in 2014 but existing cash machines remain and will be retained if the restaurant is opened.

If permission is granted, the restaurant would open between 8am and 11pm between Monday and Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. On Sunday it would open between 9am and 11pm.

A planned courtyard would shut at 9pm each day to comply with noise restrictions in the area.

A Planning and Heritage document produced by the Pegasus Group states: “The applicant is seeking full planning and listed building consent for the change of use from a vacant bank (A2 use) and beer garden (A4 use) to restaurant (A3) use.”

It describes proposed changes to the exterior of the building within the property’s rear courtyard, including the reconfiguration of external fire escape, the introduction of a fence to screen staff access to courtyard, and the construction of an orangery.

The document also outlines proposals for internal alterations to the building including changing the lobby entrance and fixing shut the existing door; repositioning the counter within the main banking hall, removing the walls to the vaults and introducing new partitions to the basement area to create toilets, staff changing rooms, and a kitchen.

In support of the scheme the report adds: “Benefits of the scheme other than the return of active use of a vacant building include the removal of various modern partitions and interventions.

“The proposal will also seek high quality finishes suitable for the high quality restaurant standard that has been set by the Ivy Restaurant and Grill in other established locations.

“This would remain preferable to alternate uses in respect of safeguarding the custody of this Grade II* listed building.”

And adds: “The removal of modern partitions within the main banking hall would enhance one of the key features of importance within the listed building, by further opening up the banking hall in line with its original form.”

The report concludes: “The application is therefore considered to be suitable for the granting of full planning permission and listed building consent.”

Caprice Holdings, who represent the Ivy brand, declined to comment on the proposals when contacted by the Bristol Post.