THE 100-year tradition of a York social club will now be preserved after planners gave its new premises the green light.

Members of the city centre planning committee approved a flats scheme which will retain a smaller version of the Promenade Working Men's Club in St Benedict's Road.

Club members, who have fought hard to keep their facility open, say they are "delighted" by the decision.

"It's very good news," said committee member Maurice Bridge. "I've been going there for 15 years and it's got a lot of history. Obviously it will be closed while our current building is knocked down and the new one built."

Members had previously petitioned City of York Council's planning department to complain about the length of time being taken to process the original application.

The club had teamed up with Guildford Construction in order to survive, and plans were submitted in December to demolish the existing building and replace it with 18 quality flats and a smaller version of the club below them. The York-based developer loaned the club's committee enough cash to keep afloat for a year, while the application was processed.

Now planners have approved a revised application with the number of flats reduced to ten.

Del Ellison, vice-president of the Club and Institute Union(CIU), York branch, said: "I'm obviously very pleased. It's a historic club and deserves to stay open."

Coun Derek Smallwood, a member of the city centre planning committee, said: "This was one of those rare occasions where we were able to keep all sides happy.

John Guildford, head of Guildford Construction, whose elderly father drinks at the club, added: "Our scheme keeps a piece of York's social heritage alive."

Updated: 09:24 Saturday, November 08, 2003