PLANS to demolish a nightclub in Leamington and build students apartments in its place are set to be thrown out by councillors.
PLANS to demolish a nightclub in Leamington and build students flats are set to be thrown out by councillors.
Warwick District Council’s planning committee has been recommended to reject plans to knock down the existing two storey Smack Nightclub in Tavistock Street to make room for a five storey block of ten purpose built student apartments.
Council officers have set out a raft of reasons to refuse the application. Their chief concern is conservation.
The documents state that while the proposal to provide new student accommodation in the location is acceptable, the fact the application includes the demolition of a grade II listed former coach house in the conservation area, is not.
Officers stated the substantial harm caused by knocking down the building, and the impact on other listed buildings in the area, was not outweighed by public benefits.
They also considered the overall size of the new development amounted to overdevelopment which would harm the character of the area.
Concerns have also been raised about the impact the development would have on nearby residents and occupants of the student accommodation due to concerns of noise and odour from the restaurant directly behind the site.
Doubts have also been raised about the green-credentials of the development as the application fails to demonstrate compliance with net zero carbon policies.
WDC Conservation, Georgian Group, Conservation Advisory Forum and Historic England have also all raised conservation concerns.
There have been 12 letters of objection, including the loss of a public entertainment venue and stating there was no need for further student accommodation in the town.
And there have been six letters of support, including the loss of the nightclub due to noise and community safety issues, and the site being in an ideal location for a students block as it is close to shops and the university bus network.
The planning committee will consider the application on Tuesday (November 5).
