PLANS to demolish a vacant club and create 16 apartments in its place have been given approval.

Plans were sent to the council in relation to Earlestown Conservative Club, on Earle Street.

The proposals, submitted by applicant, Tim Landa, include the creation of eight two-bedroom flats and eight one-bedroom flats across all floors.

A design and access statement, drawn up by planning agents Tang and Associates, on behalf of the applicant said: "The existing building is currently vacant and has been vacant for some time, previously the existing building functioned as a public house.

"In its current state, the building is damaged and the construction quality of the building has not stood the test of time.

"The site being in such close proximity to the town centre, which hosts several high quality and local historic interest buildings, the site is not currently meeting its full potential".

Plans added: "The massing and scale of the proposal has been carefully considered by the design team and have accounted for the surrounding the context.

"The proposal has a very similarly sized foot print as the existing public house, and the height of the proposal has considered the heights of the adjacent buildings".

The statement concluded: "The design team have carefully prepared the full planning application and designed a scheme which has considered the character of the immediate context and the wider area.

"We feel that the proposal would be a valuable addition to the area by providing high quality and well-designed apartments in the heart of Earlestown Town Centre".

The application has bene granted consent by council planners.

A report by planning officer Daley Parsonage, recommending the plans for approval, stated: "The proposal results in the redevelopment of a site containing a building that is vacant and detrimental to the appearance of the area.

"Weight should be given to providing new residential dwellings within the town centre".