THE future of a nightclub under threat from demolition is to be decided by council bosses next week.

Winkers Farm nightclub in Chalfont St Peter could be bulldozed to make way for housing if the proposals are given the go-ahead.

Five houses, two of which would be affordable, would be built in place of the Denham Lane club if permission was granted.

Planning officers at Chiltern District Council have recommended the plans should be refused - but opinion is divided amongst residents.

A total of 11 letters in favour of the club's demolition have been received by the council, but others opposing the plans have also been sent in.

One of them, from Chesham resident Kelly Marie Chester, said: "By building expensive homes and losing the local club this is excluding the younger generation and causing them to live and socialise elsewhere, for even more housing that we do not need. Why destroy a thriving business that has been here for more than 40 years and helps to bring great night life and a social side to this community?

"If too many residential sites are to be built up on Denham Lane and adjacent roads, traffic will become heavier and heavier eventually causing them to be major main roads, destroying yet more of our lovely countryside."

Chalfont St Peter Parish Council said they objected to the plans as no very special circumstances for development in the Green Belt had been shown and the loss of the nightclub represented a loss of a community facility.

Chiltern District Council officers have recommended refusal, with a report saying the plans "would introduce a dominant and prominent urban development that fails to relate to the form and appearance of the adjacent residential development, and thereby fails to respect the character and appearance of the surrounding area."

The proposals are due to be discussed by the council's planning committee on Thursday, February 20.