HIGHWAYS bosses say plans to demolish a Sidmouth social club and replace it with terraced homes should be turned down.

County council experts are not convinced by blueprints to replace the Winslade Central Club – founded nearly 70 years ago – with six one-bedroom dwellings.

They say they have not had ‘adequate’ information to show that the proposed development of the Winslade Club would not result in an increase in the volume of traffic entering and leaving Winslade Road.

Town councillors last week backed the scheme, but the district council will rule on the plans.

The authority had this week received five letters of objection to the scheme from members of the public.

Residents in Malvern Road and Winslade Road have expressed fears of the ‘overdevelopment’ of the site, neighbouring properties’ privacy being adversely affected, and problematic parking in the area.

They are worried that the development would exacerbate the long-standing issue of on-street parking in Winslade Road and make it even more difficult for emergency services and refuse trucks to traverse.

“We are not against the Winslade Club being redeveloped, but would like a sensible, safe and practical solution,” one pair of objectors wrote.

The proposal is to construct six one-bedroom houses in a terrace of two blocks with associated car parking, external works and landscaping.

Plans say the number of cars typically on site is expected to rise from around eight to 15.