A DEVELOPER bid to replace town centre nightclub Casbah with flats had been dealt a blow by parish councillors.

The plans would see the John Street club torn down and 12 flats built in its place.

However, the flooding authority has recommended the outline planning application be turned down, saying no strategy has been submitted detailing how surface water would be managed. The council’s highways department advised the plans be green lit, as long as developers provide six car parking spaces.

And on Tuesday night, South Swindon Parish Council’s planning committee voted to formally object to the plans. It means the outline application will be called in to Swindon Borough Council’s influential planning committee later this year.

Trish Philpot, chairman of the committee, said: “Highways have got problems with this. We note the flood authority are recommending refusal on the ground that no drainage strategy has been submitted therefore it’s not in line with current guidance and it’s not been demonstrated that it will not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere.

“The proposals do not conform to the national planning or best practice design.”

In planning application documents, K Chesterman SIPP and Camp Hill Estates says the club remains open but lease is up for renewal - and if it isn’t renewed the future use of the building is uncertain.

It adds: “The surrounding shopping area is in decline.”

“Most of the buildings in the surroundings have either exceeded their design life or have outlived their purpose, and some shops have been boarded up.”