PLANS to turn the former Regent Bingo Club, in Leeds Road, Nelson, into four shop units and ten flats looks likely to be refused by councillors next week.

The building is currently being used as a furniture retailer, which the committee gave permission for, despite the planning officers recommending it for refusal.

It is now proposed to replace the building with a three-storey building of four shops with ten flats above, four of which would havethree bedrooms and the remainder two.

Objections have been received to the plans on the grounds that there are already a number of vacant shops and flats locally and the area needs more open space not additional accommodation.

The council's planning department pointed out, in a report to the Nelson Committee, that the principle of redevelopment of the site would not be opposed but that the number of flats and the amount of new build retail floorspace was considered excessive for the Leeds Road site.

It was also considered the proposal would result in on-street parking by people using the shops or visiting the flats.

The plans have therefore been recommended for refusal next Monday.