Hucknall councillor calls for enforcement investigation into Constitutional Club plans

But this has led to a Hucknall councillor calling for enforcement officers to inspect the site over building works taking place while the application is live.

The future of the former social club, on the corner of Portland Road and Whyburn Street, is again in the spotlight after previous plans for the building raised concerns locally.

The well-known Hucknall venue, often referred to as the Conny Club, closed in 2025 after financial difficulties.

Since then, questions have been asked about what will happen to the prominent corner site and what impact any redevelopment could have on nearby residents.

Last month, it was revealed there were was talk of plans to turn the site into an HMO and shops.

A notification of prior approval (NPA) – which is essentially a formal planning check with officials to see that work can be carried out – was filed by applicant Umar Farooq to Ashfield Council in late April for the potential conversion.

However, this was refused with planners pointing out the proposal had wrongly been put forward as an agricultural building and stating the original idea would require full planning permission.

A fresh planning application has now been submitted, with proposals linked to commercial use on the ground floor and residential accommodation above.

In response, Coun Lee Waters (Ash Ind), who represents Hucknall Central, has submitted a formal objection and call-in request, asking for the application to be considered by planning committee.

Coun Waters said the site has attracted significant public interest and should not be decided quietly behind closed doors.

He continued: “This is not just some forgotten building tucked away out of sight.

"This is the former Conny Club, a well-known Hucknall site, close to homes and elderly residents, and people want straight answers about what is going on.

“Residents are not being awkward, they are asking fair questions about the future of a building that has been part of local life for years.”

Coun Waters has also called for urgent enforcement action, warning that residents must not be left watching works take place on site while the planning process is still unresolved.

He added: “If work is happening while a live planning application is still waiting to be decided, then the council needs to get officers on site and check exactly what is going on.

“That is just common sense.

"The planning system has to mean something.

People need confidence that rules are being followed and that nobody is getting ahead of the process.”

His objection raises concerns about the loss of the former club as a community facility, the lack of clarity over the future use of the building, parking, noise, deliveries, waste, opening hours and the potential impact on nearby homes.

He said: “I am not against empty buildings being brought back into use – Hucknall does not need buildings left empty and decaying.

“But any new use has to be right for the area.

It has to be clear, lawful and properly tested in public.

“This is exactly the sort of application that should go before the planning committee, where residents can see the issues debated openly.”

The application remains pending and no decision has yet been made.