Nine residential flats at New Middle Club, Whitwell, Worksop

What was proposed

The application sought to convert the former club into nine flats, with two two-bedroom units, seven one-bedroom units and off-road parking.

“SUMMARY This is a full planning application for the material change of use of the vacant New Middle Club, Welbeck Street, Whitwell to 9 no residential flats. The application includes 10 off-road car parking spaces utilising the existing vehicular access from Coronation Street. Two of the flats are two-bed and the remaining seven flats are one bed/bedsit units.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant former club is a part two-storey, part single-storey building with existing hardstanding and access from Coronation Street.

“SITE & SURROUNDINGS The former New Middle Club is a part two-storey, part single storey building located on Welbeck Street in Whitwell at its junction with Coronation Street. The club is presently closed…”

“The building features a traditional brick facade with a pitched slate roof and chimneys. Extensions to the original structure include sections with flat roofs. The primary access to the site’s established parking facilities is from Coronation Street, leading to the car park. The surrounding area consists largely of traditional red brick and slate terraced houses, though some properties have been re-roofed with concrete tiles or rendered.”

Officer report

Earlier permission and changes

Earlier outline permission for six dwellings expired without reserved matters, while amended plans retained the northern brick wall and revised the parking layout.

“BACKGROUND On 18 th November 2025 outline planning permission was granted for the demolition of the New Middle Club and the erection of six dwellings under office code 15/00495/OUT. However, an application for approval of Reserved Matters was not submitted and the application time expired.”

“AMENDMENTS The following amended drawings were received to retain the existing brick wall along the northern boundary and to agree a revised car park layout.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker opposed the proposal and the applicant spoke in favour; the applicant also answered questions about electric vehicle charging and bin storage.

The committee’s parking discussion

The committee had previously debated the ten-space parking provision, after which a revised layout providing thirteen spaces was received.

“Committee considered a report in relation to the above application presented by the Development Management and Land Charges Manager, who gave details of the application and highlighted the location and features of the site and key issues. The application was for the material change of use of the New Middle Club to provide 9 residential flats. The original application had included 10 off-road car parking spaces with vehicular access from Coronation Street, Whitwell.”

“The application had been deferred by the Committee 3 rd September 2025. Members had debated the appropriateness of the number of car parking spaces to be allocated (10). A revised parking layout had been received, which would provide 3 additional car parking spaces (13 in total).”

Minutes

The vote

The committee approved the application by four votes in favour and none against, following a motion proposed and seconded by councillors.

“Moved by Councillor Phil Smith and seconded by Councillor Rob Hiney-Saunders RESOLVED that application no. 25/00179/FUL be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes

The final decision

Permission was granted for the nine flats subject to conditions covering the approved plans, construction hours, contamination, biodiversity, parking, boundaries and materials.

“If during the construction and/or demolition works associated with the development hereby approved, any suspected areas of contamination are discovered, then all works shall be suspended until the nature and extent of the contamination is assessed and a report is submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority which addresses the risk identified.”

“Prior to any works taking place to the external elevations and roof of the development, the precise external materials to be used in the construction of the external elevations and roof shall be first submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall then proceed fully in accordance with the agreed external materials and be maintained thereafter.”

Minutes

Approval conditions

The approved development must provide and retain its access, parking and turning facilities before occupation and deliver specified biodiversity enhancements.

“Prior to the first occupation of the hereby approved development, a biodiversity enhancement plan must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Plan must clearly show positions, specifications and numbers of the following features:”

“No dwelling shall be occupied until the access, parking and turning facilities have been provided in full, as shown on drawing number AP/02 dated 16/07/2025. Once provided the car parking and turning spaces shall be retained for the life of the development free from any impediment to their parking and turning purposes.”

Minutes