A former social club for members of the Raf Association can be turned into housing.

And specifically, into student-style shared houses of multiple occupation.

Planners at Swindon Borough Council have approved Brett Property Group’s application to divide the club which comprises two semi-detached buildings at 31-33 Belle Vue Road in Old Town into three shared properties.

One of the units will have eight bedroom, and the other two seven apiece, meaning the club could be providing accommodation for 22 people.

The plans show each bedroom would have an en suite lavatory and shower, and the three separate apartments would be either three or two stories in height.

In a statement of justification for turning what was a community asset into housing, Brett Property Group showed pictures of the interior of the building showing peeling wallpaper, crumbling plaster and tired fixtures and fittings.

The statement said: “These images provide proof that the properties in their current state are not fit for purpose and require substantial renovation and investment, which could potentially be discouraging new ownership, in order to be maintained as a useable community facility.

“The former RAFA buildings were never deemed as a “fully open” community facility as it had a membership restriction, meaning that only RAF ex-forces and immediate family members could join, it was therefore never a fully open community facility for the public.”

But what some see as a proliferation of HMOs in Old Town in particular is becoming an issue for many.

South Swindon Parish Council objected to the plan saying the threshold for numbers had been reached and HMOs “have a detrimental effect on services, space and quality in the area.”

Neighbours also wrote to object citing the lack of parking available for the number of people,  and issues with noise and rubbish.

But the officer's report which recommended consent said: “sufficient evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the property is no longer viable to continue to operate as a community facility and it is no longer required. There are other alternative facilities within the locality that can be utilised by residents.

“The change of use to residential would introduce a more compatible use in terms of noise and disturbance with adjoining properties than the existing use of the property as community club.”

The propeller which used to be on the club’s front wall, which has been identified as belonging to an Airspeed Oxford – a trainer for RAF bomber aircrews, has now been installed in the cemetery chapel at Radnor Street Cemetery.