A NIGHTCLUB has been given a stay of execution from being bulldozed after two attempts to replace it with housing were thrown out.

Two different applications to demolish Winkers Farm nightclub in Chalfont St Peter to make way for housing were turned down by Chiltern District Council’s planning committee on Thursday night.

Members noted during the meeting the club had experienced a “consistent level of anti-social behaviour” and had “put a big strain on police resources in the district”.

But the club, off Denham Lane, is built on Green Belt land and the committee could see no ‘very special circumstances’ to permit the redevelopment.

They were also opposed to redevelopment on the grounds of losing a community facility, noting that Winkers is the only nightclub in the Chiltern District area.

The first application, for four new houses to be built on the site, attracting 13 objections and the second, for a block of 12 flats, led to the council receiving a further 19 letters of objection. In addition nearly 800 people joined a campaign group on the social networking site Facebook to stop the club being closed.

The meeting heard around 50 jobs would go if the club – which is currently up for sale – were to shut.

Both applications were turned down, with planners adding the planned housing was too bulky for the area they were planned for.

Cllr Julie Burton said: “I was horrified to see the possibility of these four great houses, but I’m absolutely appalled at the thought of this block of flats going on there.”

Cllr Robert Burns-Green added that if the club were to be demolished, the most logical thing to do would be to return the land to Green Belt and refuse any further development there.

The plans to build houses were rejected by seven votes to two whilst the flats plan was turned down by seven votes to nil, with three abstentions.