A STRUGGLING York social club which was on the brink of extinction may now have a future.

City of York Council planners have recommended that a block of flats scheme be approved which would retain a smaller version of The Promenade Working Men's Club in St Benedict Road.

Club 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 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 it afloat for a year, while the application was processed.

Now a revised application - with the number of flats reduced to ten - will finally go before the planning committee on Thursday

John Guildford, head of Guildford Construction, whose father drinks at the club, said: "Hopefully this plan will provide a lifeline to the club. It's a lot smaller than the original scheme, but we will still make it work to keep the club alive.

"It has no money so this was the only way it could have a future."

Bishophill Planning Panel objects to the three-storey development on the grounds that it is too large-scale for the site and would result in on-street parking.

Planning officers also received objections from residents living in nearby Paston Walk and Gascoigne Walk who believe that the proposed building would dominate the area and create a "dark and oppressive" environment and create a loss of privacy.

But in a report to planning members, development control officer Heather Fairy says: "It is considered that the building fits well within the street scene and that adequate off-street parking has been provided.

"There would be limited impact upon neighbouring residents in terms of overshadowing and overlooking and the landscaped area to the rear benefits the site."

The Promenade club is more than 100 years old and was formerly based in Vine Street.

The matter will go before the city centre planning committee on Thursday.

Updated: 10:55 Monday, November 03, 2003