A clubhouse in Ramsgate could be demolished to make way for a five-storey building with flats.

An application has been filed with Thanet District Council to replace the Elms Social Club in Elms Avenue with a building comprising 12 two-bedroom flats, two three-bedroom maisonettes and a function room with parking.

The bid, submitted by Adam Burgess Architect, state that the function room forms “an important part of the brief for the new proposal”.

It says: “The existing members-only club building makes no architectural contribution to the area.

“The low-rise design of the existing building makes poor use of the site and in this regard is not in keeping with national planning policy.

“The proposal incorporates a flexible venue space at the front of the site, mitigating the loss of the existing building.

“Its location will help create a better street presence than the existing building, incorporating large windows that act as an advertisement for the community facility.

“Its orientation allows the creation of a landscaped courtyard and that will better connect the public to the facility.

“The open courtyard can be used as an extension on good weather days, bringing life to the street.”

The proposed apartments are planned at a 45-degree angle to prevent the overlooking of nearby sites such as school buildings, and to maximise the amount of natural light that can be gained at different times of the day.

Plans, which developers say are highly sustainable, also incorporate private terraces.

Documents say: “Apartment windows, terraces and balconies provide potential for residents to look down onto the semi-private landscaped space.

“Located at level one will be a secure place for children to play, intimate, only accessible from the main stair and lift cores.

“Sustainability is at the heart of the scheme.

“The apartments are arranged to provide high-density accommodation. The proposal brings landscaping, trees and biodiversity to a site that has none.

An objection, however, from a neighbouring house has been made.

It reads: “The five-storey building would restrict the daylight coming into my front window as I am only about 20 yards from the boundary wall. Parking would not be able to support this and our road would become a car park yet again”

A decision on the proposal will be made at a later date.