AN OLD high street bank could be turned into a dentist.

Plans have been submitted to Flintshire Council to transform the old Barclays bank on the High Street in Saltney into a dental practice.

The premises have been vacant for five years and was sold for £170,000 at auction over the summer.

The planning application states: "Change of use of ground floor from A2 Use (Bank) to D1 Use (Dentist's practice) and first floor to A2,D1 and B1 Uses. Removal of cash ATM and re-installation of window to street elevation. Removal of ground floor street entrance screen and installation of new glazed screen and entrance door. Internal rearrangements."

Saltney councillor Richard Lloyd welcomed the plans.

He said: "Should the application be approved it would be the first time that a dental practise has ever been situated on the Welsh side of Saltney and I’m very pleased that the residents of Saltney and Saltney Ferry may now have such a facility on their doorstep.

"I am also hopeful that as Saltney is fast becoming a larger community with new properties built by Edwards Homes at both Mayfield Park and Garden Village that the Health Authority will realise that we need a Health Centre with more GP’s to serve our growing population."