THE owner of a Basingstoke nightclub has said that plans to build seven apartments in the town centre could 'jeopardise' his business.

Morse Webb, a Tadley-based architectural company, has asked Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for permission to build the flats in Wote Street.

The block, which if granted will be built above iBrokeMyGadget, a mobile phone repair shop, will include six one-bedroom apartments, and one two-bedroom apartment with balconies.

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Illustration of the apartments from Red Lion Lane (Image: BDBC)

The application states: "With the focus of new office accommodation being provided in Basing View, several of the surrounding buildings have seen their upper commercial floors converted into residential in recent years.

"These conversions help keep the town centre occupied 24 hours a day and put redundant floor space to purposeful use."

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The plans have been criticised by a business owner in Wote Street, who has raised concerns that the plans could 'jeopardise' his business.

Ernie Phelps, the owner of nightclub Plush Lounge Bar, says that he is worried that when occupied, tenants in the flats 'would complain about the noise' from the premises.

He added: "I have a very busy nightclub and the smoking area at the front of the building can be very noisy at times, and I feel we would receive noise complaints from the occupiers of these flats.

"I employ around 30 staff and I feel this application could affect/jeopardise my business which is very busy on a Friday and Saturday night until 3.30-4am."

He says that should the plans be approved, 'sufficient soundproofing and mechanical ventilation' should be installed in the flats to 'secure the comfort of the occupiers of the flats' and 'protect my business'.

The proposed building will include an entrance lobby, a covered bin store, space for 16 bicycles, and a 'private garden space'. 

One of the seven flats will be wheelchair accessible, with a level entrance and exit, large room sizes, sanitaryware and storage to ensure that people with additional needs can live in the space.

The developer says it is also committed to 'reducing the energy consumption and environmental impact' of the building with 'high levels of insulation, rainwater harvesting and a heat pump'.

Photovoltaic panels will also be used on the roof, a device that converts sunlight into energy. 

More details can be found on the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's planning website at reference number 24/01724/FUL.