An “iconic” High Wycombe town centre building that has been empty since 2012 could be turned into an adult gaming centre if new plans are given the go-ahead.

Old Bank House at 39 High Street is Grade II* listed and has been since 1954 – but new plans could see the bottom floor turned into an amusement centre, to the dismay of Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE.

She said the distinctive three-storey building, which used to be a building society before it shut down in 2012, has “a lot of history” and is in the conservation area, adding: “I believe the suggested change of use is an unacceptable change and should be resisted.”

The striking structure has been described as “one of the grandest buildings on the High Street”.

Councillors on the Wycombe District Council (WDC) planning committee will consider the new plans – which have been recommended for approval – at their next meeting on February 12.

Although Old Bank House is in a prime location in the centre of the town, agents acting on behalf of the applicant Future Leisure Ltd, say that because it does not have big display windows, no business has wanted to move in there since bank Alliance and Leicester shut down eight years ago.

According to their plans, Future Leisure say they will transform the ground floor of the building into an adult-only amusement centre with gaming machines.

They added that bringing the vacant building back into use will “add to the evening economy” and will “not cause noise or disturbance” to residents living nearby.

WDC’s conservation officer said getting the building back into “sympathetic use is welcome in principle” – but highlight a number of possible issues.

These included if the weight of the gaming machines might be too much for the floor and concerns about the character of the building.

The officer’s report said: “Brash or gaudy light from the machines being visible in the street would fail to complement its special interest.”