Aylesbury Ex-Services Club to become flats
The building was abandoned in early 2019
14 flats will be built inside an abandoned venue in Aylesbury.
After suddenly closing two years ago, the Ex-Services Club on Walton Street has been empty.
Developers plan to convert the existing building into apartments, getting rid of parking spaces and the glazed atrium.
Windows would be added to the building, which would have three floors of apartments.
There will be a mixture of one- and two-bed flats.
Aylesbury Town Council raised concerns saying:
"To change the use of this building would be a huge loss to the town and we do not feel that sufficient justification has been given to change class from Assembly & Leisure...
"...14 apartments in this part of town with no parking will have a detrimental impact on the surrounding streets and properties."
They are also worried about the lack of a lift to the second floor.
Developers argue that parking isn't needed as the building is so close to the town centre and its amenities.
Why can't it stay as a venue?
Aylesbury Ex Services Club suddenly closed in early 2019
Chandler Garvey, who helped to sell the building from last March, say that they did try to sell it as a venue to start with.
They tried up until October last year, but could not find someone who could offer 'reasonable market value' for the site.
The building was then sold to developers, who continued to try and find an organisation or business to take it over in its current form.
Chandler Garvey said in the application:
"We undertook the marketing of the site on this basis via the usual channels. Interest we received was from another dance/drama club, a local church and a local housing association.
"The majority of parties who viewed really only wanted part of the property, however i.e. either the ground or first floor and some with or without the flat.
"A conditional offer was made by a local housing association, which was subject to receiving planning permission for 13 apartments. The offer was below market value and so was not accepted.
"No further interest has been received since February 2020."
Their assessment is that the long-term leisure use of the building isn't viable as it's too large to support such a use anymore.
Bucks Council have now approved the application.