A former nightclub could be converted into a language school.

Developers have submitted an application for the former Gap Club in Western Road, Hove.

The basement would be converted into an extension of the School of English which is currently based upstairs, called Stafford House.

The licence for the venue has already expired and the language school hopes the council will authorise a change of use application.

Simon Bareham, director of Lewis and Co Planning which has submitted the bid, wrote to the planning committee: “The existing use of the site is for a basement level night club – albeit the premises have been closed for a considerable period of time.

“Night clubs are a sui generis use, and are not considered to be “community facilities” – consequently they are not protected by any existing or emerging planning policies.

“The proposed for additional school space is a logical use for the site.

“Notwithstanding the site’s city centre location (where additional noise and disturbance would generally be expected), the proposed use will nonetheless be considerably more neighbour friendly than the nightclub use.

“The use will also ensure that a vacant building is kept in active use – which will be to the benefit of the vitality of the surrounding conservation area.”

The application was submitted this week and is now under consideration.