Plans to turn a former town centre bank into a music and media college have been approved.

Post-16 specialist college SupaJam will be replacing the old NatWest in Swanley.

The currently vacant bank shut in May 2022 after demand for its services fell.

Official figures revealed between 2018 and 2020 counter transactions for personal customers at the branch in The Mall, London Road, decreased by 30%. In 2019 only 17 people used it on a regular basis.

The site is close to an Asda and sits at a higher level than the pedestrian area and steps leading down to the main road.

The change of use application was submitted on September 12, and on October 23 the proposals were given the green light.

Previously, objections were raised about the college moving into the building, with some claiming it will be noisy and attract antisocial behaviour.

There were also concerns it could make parking in the town worse.

However, the applicant said noise limitation is well considered in the layout and that supplying outlets for young people in the area is important.

A noise impact assessment will have to be conducted before the college opens to assess aspects such as amplified music, film and speech.

There will be some internal walls built to form classrooms and offices as well as soundproofed areas so the students can enjoy playing music.

Any noise will kept to the centre of the building and will only be between 9am and 5pm.

SupaJam, which also has a location in Canterbury, is currently located in St Marys Road, Swanley, and according to the application form has “been able to successfully manage any issues with noise”.

Its current site is also in an old bank, and the vault provides a “ready-made, sound proofed room for band practice”.