A FORMER gentlemen’s club which had to close because not enough people were going to it could be turned into 12 flats.

The Durham County Club, which was based in Durham City, had to close last year due to declining usage.

A planning application has now been submitted to turn its Grade II listed headquarters in Old Elvet into 12 apartments.

The plans are to turn the main three-storey building into seven apartments, with a further two in the billiard room and three in the west wing.

Original features of the 19th century building, including cupboards, ventilators and cooking ranges will be retained as evidence as to how it has been used in the past.

The Durham County Club was formed in 1890 by a committee of 18 leading businessmen and aristocrats, including the Earl of Durham, the Marquis of Londonderry, a knight of the realm, a priest and two MPs.

For many years, the club had close links with the Durham Light Infantry and its successor The Rifles, as well as hosting Crown Court judges’ lunches and numerous High Sheriffs.

It closed at the start of last year and its contents were sold at auction in May, with items including dinner services and glassware, hunting prints, a wooden choir bench from Durham Cathedral and prints of members of the Royal family.

The Environment Agency has objected to the proposal because a flood risk assessment has not been carried out.

The property is within a flood zone area with a medium risk of flooding, the agency says. It added that the objection would be withdrawn if an assessment was carried out to show the development is safe and will not increase the flooding risk elsewhere.