A PROMINENT businessman’s plans to turn a disused nightclub into a shop and flats are hanging in the balance.

Robin Levy and his son Ben, owners of the Bell Hotel and Mayflower pub in Old Leigh, applied to turn Element nightclub, in Alexandra Street, into residential space, with flats above and behind it.

The nightclub closed last year and the owners are now keen to redevelop the site but they might have to wait longer as planning officers at Southend Council have recommended the application for refusal.

Their decision could still be overturned at the council’s development control meeting next Wednesday but plans currently hang in the balance.

In their recommendation to councillors, planning officers said: “Insufficient evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the commercial uses at the site could be carried out without resulting in undue noise and disturbance to the amenities of future occupiers of the proposed flats proposed.

“Also, insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate a refuse store can be accommodated within the site for this mixed use development not resulting in harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”

The plans would see the Basement nightclub maintained, despite it suffering damage during a fire last October. The ground floor would be turned into retail space, and five flats spread between the first and second floors.

The development also includes 6-11 Market Place, which would see two of the five flats built in these properties, with the roof knocked down from the connecting space to Alexandra Street, creating a shared courtyard for the new homes.

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour councillor for the Milton ward, supported the decision of the planning officers.

He said: “In such a high profile area, so close to the High Street and just outside the conservation area, we need to hold developers to the highest standards.

“I want to see Milton full of the highest quality developments and I am more likely to be critical of a plan than to support it.

“Noise is always an issue when contemplating mixed use developments and I can understand why refuse storage would be an issue in that area, where we have had problems with waste and fly-tipping before.”

Ben Levy declined to comment on the recommendation.