A former social club is going up for auction with the potential to be turned into flats.

The site of the former Newhaven Social Club in Chapel Street will go under the hammer on September 18.

Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers is listing the property with a freehold guide price of £475,000 to £500,000.

View of site from corner of Chapel Street and Bridge Street (Image: Clive Emson)

Newhaven Social Club closed in 2020. Richard Payne, senior auction appraiser and auctioneer, said: “This detached former social club has planning permission to demolish and create a three-storey building comprising six, two-bedroom flats on the first and second floors with five business units on the ground floor."

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The town centre site has planning permission for six two-bedroom flats and five business units, granted by Lewes District Council in 2023.

The ground floor could have five business units with an electrical vehicle charging point and a bike park. Sizes of the units would range from 47.61 square metres to 52.79.

The first and second floors would be turned into flats under the proposed plans.

View of site from Chapel Street (Image: Clive Emson)

Newhaven Town Council initially objected to the plans. It said the lack of parking for industrial vehicles and the residential units would increase pressure for on-street parking. It also cited the lack of disabled access and no provision of green space.

Mr Payne said: “We anticipate strong interest from developers and builders keen to make a quick start on a project with layers of red tape out of the way in terms of planning consent.”

The site is close to shops and amenities and is in a prime location for road links to Brighton, Eastbourne and all surrounding areas via the A259.