A PRIVATE club is to knock down part of its base to build flats and retail units.

The Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) Club, in Darlington, has applied to build 13 apartments and a commercial development.

Its application is opposite another similar scheme where the flats were snapped up almost immediately but retail units are still available to let.

The ASE Club, in Northgate, has submitted plans to build a three-storey building on its car park.

A function room at the club will also be demolished to make way for the proposals.

The scheme will include retail units on the ground floor and two-bedroomed apartments across the three floors.

John Harrison, from agents Harrison & Johnson, said the rest of the club would remain unaltered. It will also retain five parking places, with another 13 spaces for the development.

The retail units on the opposite side of the road were completed at the end of last year.

Andrew Wright, from Storeys estate agents, said the company was in advanced negotiations to complete a deal for the retail units.

Darlington borough councillor Eleanor Lister, ward councillor for Northgate, said the club needed to be "done up".