A COUNCIL is at loggerheads with planning chiefs over whether a nightclub should be given legally protected status.

Winkers nightclub in Chalfont St Peter has been identified by Chiltern District Council as a community facility, which needs to be protected in planning law.

But an independent examiner has said the Denham Lane nightspot should be considered as a privately owned facility, which is not afforded any additional protection.

The future of the club is being considered as part of the Chalfont St Peter Neighbourhood Plan, which is designed to give residents more of a say on planning issues affecting the village.

Residents are now being asked for their views in a public consultation, which goes live tomorrow.

The Neighbourhood Plan has been considered by independent examiner Nigel McGurk, who has suggested 65 modifications from the proposals originally put forward by Chalfont St Peter Parish Council.

Chiltern District Council, which is considering Mr McGurk's recommendations, says it agrees with all of his findings apart from the use of Winkers.

In recent years four applications to demolish Winkers and convert it into housing have been made and all of them have been rejected by the council on the grounds it would lead to the loss of a community facility.

Council planning bosses say considering the venue as a privately owned business venture would be contrary to the authority's own guidelines.

Cllr Graham Harris, cabinet member for sustainable development, said: "This site, along with many other similar privately owned businesses, has always been considered to be a community facility. Any change to that would be contrary the Council's development plan and national guidance and we are, for that reason, consulting again on this single point."

The consultation runs for six weeks and the council will forward responses to the examiner.

Full details can be found at www.chiltern.gov.uk/chalfontstpeter and consultation responses can either be emailed to planningpolicy@chiltern.gov.uk or sent in writing to The Head of Sustainable Development, Chalfont St Peter Neighbourhood Plan Consultation, Chiltern District Council, King George V House, King George V Road, Amersham HP6 5AW.

The deadline for consultation responses is 5pm on Friday, November 14.