The site of Marlow’s former cinema could be converted into flats if new plans are given the green light.

The proposals, by Sorbon Estates, could see Regal House, in Station Road, turned into 25 flats with parking, access and landscaping.

The plans have been given the nod by town councillors, with developers saying the empty office block is underused and “adds little” to the setting of the adjacent Grade I-listed Marlow Place or the town centre as a whole.

Writing in the design and access statement, Sorbon Estates said: “Regal House currently makes no positive contribution to Station Road and the site turns its back on Institute Road.

“Any proposed development will have a more positive impact on the setting of Marlow Place in particular.”

The flats would be a mix of six one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom, with basement parking providing 31 spaces, with a further nine spaces at ground level for visitors and residents.

But neighbour Richard Dennis does not think the proposed spaces will be enough for the number of flats planned.

He wrote: “It appears the parking spaces planned are inappropriate for the numbers of cars - at two per flat, 50 cars is highly likely. Accessing the basement via a lift will be slow and inconvenient so could be expected not to be used for daily parking.

“I know the spaces meet the present dimensions but given the constricted turning spaces it is possible that some spaces will be inaccessible if a car is already in an adjacent space e.g. those by walls or near the plant room end.

“It therefore appears to me that residents and visiting people will end up parking on the street if this density of occupation is permitted.

“The local roads are already over-subscribed, so if this plan is passed please either increase the usable on property parking or reduce the number of flats to meet the space constraints.”

MTC’s planning committee said it had no objection to the development “subject to the conservation officer with respect to the adjacent Grade I listed building, obscure glazing in the north elevation windows which face Marlow House or construction traffic to use the Institute Road access, and subject to a SuDS report”.