PLANS to convert Samantha s Night Club into a block of 14 flats have failed to receive the support of Exmouth Town Council s planning committee. Owners of the two-storey, Stagg Inns Ltd, submitted an application to district planners following its closure

PLANS to convert Samantha's Night Club into a block of 14 flats have failed to receive the support of Exmouth Town Council's planning committee.

Owners of the two-storey, Stagg Inns Ltd, submitted an application to district planners following its closure last autumn.

The committee heard last Monday, May 11, proposals for the club on St Andrews, Exmouth, called for a storage area for bicycles and refuse, eight two-bedroom and six one-bedroom flats.

The flats are registered in a flood zone and there no spaces to park cars - both areas of concern raised during the meeting.

Councillor Steve Gazzard said he had a problem with the application because he wanted to know whether any provisions were in place where flooding was concerned.

And, councillor Richard Turner, added: "You would have thought with the number of flats proposed that someone would have mentioned if there was an issue of some flooding."

Robert Burford, the architect for the planned changes, said in the design statement that flood warnings would be made available to the occupants.

He explained that the development was designed in close consultation with the planning officer to make the best use of the site in accordance with present policies.

Mr Burford said this would be achieved by providing new homes in the town centre and would retain the character of the present building.

Councillor Ian Stewart was particularly worried about parking and said it was a 'horrendous problem'.

"Any opportunity we get for parking in a multi-flat building we should take it," he added.

The club closed in October last year after being a popular venue with revellers for more than 35 years.

While the application was not backed, the committee felt they would be happy to see flats in principle if there were provisions for parking.

The plans will go to the district council for a final decision.