A former city centre bank building is set to become a sex clinic centre for Cornwall.

The former Royal Bank of Scotland offices in Penhaligon House in Truro will be the new centre for Brook, which has been give the contract for sexual health services in Cornwall.

Cornwall Council has granted planning permission for the change of use of the Grade II* listed building.

Brook has been looking to create clinics across Cornwall and wants to use the former RBS building as its Truro base.

The national charity has been operating in Cornwall for years but was recently given the contract for sexual health services by the council.

A design and access statement submitted with the planning application states: “Brook have delivered sexual health and education services in Cornwall for the last 26 years, contributing significantly to improvements in STI screening rates for young people and an under 18 conception rate at its

lowest for 40 years.

“Brook have recently been awarded a new contract with Cornwall Council to deliver an all-age sexual health service across the county which launched in December 2019. This is an exciting opportunity to develop an innovative new approach to the delivery of sexual health services in Cornwall.

“Brook’s new Cornwall all-age service has Cornwall residents at its heart. Brook will work with residents, local partners and commissioners to deliver a service that empowers people to make healthier, informed choices, taking control of their sexual health and wellbeing.

“One of the aims of the new service is to improve face-to-face access by relocating services that are currently offered from one central site to more accessible clinics throughout the county.”

As well as providing space for sex clinics to be held in Cornwall the Truro centre will also be the administrative base for Brook in Cornwall with office space for up to 25 staff.

Planning permission was only required for the change of use of the areas which will be used for clinics.

The building was previously home to offices for RBS but has been empty since it closed in 2018.

Details of some of the history of the listed building are also included in the design and access statement.

This gives the listing description: “Large town house, now bank. Early C18, for a member of the Gregor family, partly destroyed by fire in 1923, extensively repaired late 1980s. Local rubble walls, hipped dry Delabole slate roof with projecting eaves and pierced clay ridge tiles. Rectangular plan with two large rooms at the front flanking a central entrance hall.”

It adds: “History: It is reputed that Tennyson (who befriended the occupier and Cornish poet, Henry Sewell Stokes) stayed here and during this time wrote ‘In Memoriam’.”

The application was only for the change of use of the building with no proposed changes to the interior or exterior of the building so with no impact on the listed status.

By using the building the application suggests that it will help to ensure its upkeep.

Cornwall Council granted planning permission for the change of use last week.