A PROPOSITION to convert one of Reading's oldest night clubs into flats was turned down by the borough's planning committee following a "poor design".

Developers want to destroy the After Dark club and turn the area into 10 luxury apartments with a courtyard garden.

The proposal came under fire when members of the public heard about the plans, and hundreds backed a petition to save the iconic nightclub.

However, Reading Borough Council tonight formally objected an approach from developers RJIS Ltd, criticising the design.

Marian Livingston, chair of the planning applications committee, said: "Can we follow the recommendation of the officers and refuse planning permission."

Located on London Street, After Dark has been supplying discount alcohol and big-budget pop tunes to the revellers of Reading since the 1980s.

Linda Serck, speaking on behalf of the Save The After Dark group, told the meeting: In the year of culture it would be a travesty to destroy what is and what will always be a legendary venue.

"If we lose the After Dark it would have a detrimental impact on our night life.

"The club has been going for 35 years.

"It has outlasted the majority of clubs in Reading.

"As representatives of our community you cannot ignore the 1200 people that have sent in objections and the 3,000 people that have signed the petition."

The plans request permission to tear down the nightclub and build ten apartments, five two bed and five one bed, along with a courtyard and cycle storage where it stood.

A report prepared for councillors read: "The proposal is a poor design solution in terms of its layout/location and height, bulk and massing.

"This would have a significant detrimental impact on the rear setting of principal Listed Buildings on London Street, failing to preserve or enhance views in this part of the Market Place/London Street Conservation Area. "

Speaking about the plans, club owner Neil Richards recently said the long-term future of the club was unclear.

He said on the club's website: "In the very short term everything will run as normal at the club. My current lease runs until the end of the year and should not be affected by these developments.

"The medium and long term is obviously far less certain and will naturally depend in large part upon the outcome of the planning process."

The planners indicated that they would appeal the decision to refuse the application.

Councillors voted unanimously to refuse the application.