CONCERNS over access for disabled people could be set to derail controversial plans for the £1m renovation of a grade II-listed building.

Businessman Alistair Powell wants to turn the Mechanics Institute Building, in Skinnergate, Darlington, into a bar, restaurant and nightclub called The Keys.

The building, which was built in 1854, was trading as Retro nightclub until last month.

Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee will debate the plans at a meeting on Wednesday.

The plans were delayed when council planning officers and architects working on behalf of the applicant could not come to an agreement over health and safety concerns about where revellers would queue while waiting to enter the club.

Planning officers are recommending members refuse planning permission for the development.

A report to the cpmmittee states: “The proposed entrance into the building off Mechanics Yard will lead to conflict between vehicles, including emergency vehicles, and pedestrians and disabled persons which would be prejudicial to highway safety.

“The removal of the existing disabled access ramp and the use of a lift instead is not considered to be a convenient method of disabled access to the building.

“The proposed entrance to the building from Mechanics Yard will lead to surveillance problems that will make it more difficult to control any instances of public disorder.”

Six letters of support and four of objection were received, while disability campaign group Darlington Action on Disability is against the plans.

In a letter to the council, the group said: “This building has had a wheelchair accessible ramp at the main entrance in Skinnergate for many years and there are no exceptional circumstances why that should be removed.

“The proposed alternative is the removal of a perfectly good ramp and [replacing] it with an external lift.

“External lifts are prone to constant breakdowns and vandalism so they are never available when needed.

“Others are so heavily secured with keys and bells that people’s independence is lost and so is the access.

“The lift would also need a guaranteed clear unobstructed landing at the bottom and the applicant can’t give that because it is the public highway.”

The proposal involves the complete refurbishment of the building to create a bar on the ground floor and a nightclub on the first floor.

As well as the disputed lift, the works would include a three-storey extension to link the main sections of the building together.

The committee meets at 1.30pm, at the Town Hall, on Wednesday.