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Plans to transform nightclub into flats unanimously approved

A former nightclub will be turned into apartments after standing derelict for three years.

The former Urban Cherry and Old Eight Bells site, in Church Street, Mansfield has not served customers since 2018 and has remained empty in one of the most historic streets within the town centre.

Developers put forward plans last year to give the site a new lease of life by turning the almost 100-year-old building into 12 apartments just a stone’s throw away from the street’s historic viaduct.

The land itself, council documents say, has been used for alcohol sale since 1765 and was reputed to have once been home to historic Mansfield figure, Samuel Brunt.

Under the conversion plans, approved by councillors on Monday 25 October, developers will retain elements of the building, including the prominent ‘Old Eight Bells’ sign from when the building was rebuilt in its current form in 1925.

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The layout of the building will be changed to include seven one-bedroom flats and five two-bedroom apartments.

The building will be accessed via the same entrance previously used by Urban Cherry nightclub until its closure in 2018, while a courtyard to the rear will have a communal use and bin storage.

The scheme comes as part of Mansfield District Council’s wider town centre masterplan, designed to bring new life to the Church Street area and surrounding buildings.

David Peck, director of Planning and Design Group, spoke in Monday’s meeting on behalf of the developer.

He said: “This application presents the opportunity to support one piece of the jigsaw, and to ensure Mansfield’s town centre continues to be a place where people want to live, work and be entertained.

“The building is an attractive and somewhat grand building with notable history and is looking for a new lease of life.

“The town centre masterplan recognises this part of Mansfield has to adapt if it is to respond to changing consumer habits and lifestyle choices.

“The change to residential use would inject life back into the building, without detriment to nearby shops.”

The development comes after similar plans were approved and completed for the adjacent former Post Office to also be converted into flats.

It forms part of the wider redevelopment of Church Street and nearby Dame Flogan Street, with Mansfield District Council planning and favouring more homes close to the town centre.

Councillor Brian Lohan (Lab) represents the Portland ward, where the new apartments will be based.

He said: “This building has been empty long enough, it’s primed for development and I think it’ll be an ideal place for people to live.”

Cllr Andy Sissons (Ind), who represents Newgate, added: “I think it’s good the building is going to be brought back into use, rather than potentially falling into ruin and being derelict.

“There will be scope for turning other town centre locations into dwellings.”

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the scheme.

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