An empty Grantham town centre social club looks set to be partially demolished to make way for flats.

A meeting of the planning committee of South Kesteven District Council is recommended to approve the scheme concerning the former Westgate Social Club, which has been closed since 2016.

The scheme from Rahu Patel of Leicester is due before the committee next Thursday as due to its size, it is considered a major development.

However, the current plan for 15 units is smaller than an earlier scheme from Mr Patel for 27 units on the same site and was withdrawn earlier this year.

The 0.05ha application site is between Westgate and Greyfriars, in the centre of Grantham, which currently comprises of a range of buildings.

A report by SKDC planning staff said: "The buildings are in various states of disrepair and display evidence of fire damage and vandalism.

"The proposed development would involve the partial demolition of the former Social Club and a proposed 2-storey rear extension and extension of the roof of the former hall on the western side of the site, as well as the re-development of elements of the existing structures."

Part of the site where the club is would be demolished to provide an outdoor courtyard amenity space for residents and members of the public.

The report continued: "The submitted scheme would involve the provision of 15(no.) residential units of the following mix: 1(no.) 1-bedroom duplex apartment, 8(no.) 1-bed single storey apartments, and 6 (no.) 2-bedroom single storey apartments."

Details included: "The proposed apartments on the top floor of the former ballroom, created by raising the roof of this building, will benefit from terrace balconies overlooking the north of the site and would provide natural surveillance over the underpass / pedestrian access which would be positioned along the front (northern) boundary of the site.

"The proposed apartment block would be served by a central atrium / lobby, which would be situated in the central, 3-storey building."

The report noted the applicant could not provide proof the building could carry on as a social club, but planning staff noted the social club has been advertised for sale without any interest and has since stood vacant, suggesting there is no other alternative use, bar housing.

"In addition, there are a number of alternative community facilities and / or drinking establishments within the local area to ensure that the proposed change of use would not have a detrimental impact on the day-to-day needs of the local community."

"Furthermore, the application site is previously developed (brownfield) land situated within the main urban area of Grantham. The existing buildings on site are in various states of disrepair and are displaying evidence of fire damage and vandalism, and are an unsightly feature of the local street scene.

"Consequently, the current proposals would provide the opportunity to enhance the character and appearance of the site, as well as provide an appropriate number of residential units to meet the identified housing needs within the District."

The report further concluded: "In assessing the principle of development on the whole, it is the Officer's judgement that the benefits of regenerating a previously developed site in the centre of Grantham, which currently detracts from the visual appearance of the area, to provide residential accommodation to meet the needs for smaller residential units within the District would outweigh the limited harm caused by the conflict with [several council policies] .

"Taking the above into account, it is considered that the principle of the development is acceptable, subject to material considerations. In this respect, the layout, scale, design and appearance of the development is considered to be appropriate for the site's context and would enhance the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding street scene.

"Similarly, subject to conditions, the development would not give rise to any unacceptable adverse impacts on neighbouring properties, identified heritage assets, highways safety and capacity, flood risk and drainage, pollution or biodiversity and ecology.

"As such, the application is considered to be in accordance with the Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework on these matters."