THE future of a Newport club hangs in the balance as members fear it could be demolished to make way for 13 flats.

William Jenkins, owner of the Ferns Club on Lliswerry Road has applied to the city council for outline planning permission to demolish the current building to make way for new homes.

The 300-member club has 30 weddings booked for next year as well as being home to a number of community groups, including snooker teams, weight-watchers, theatre groups and bingo players.

Members have vowed to fight any proposal to knock it down.

Enda Dennison-Lee and Bryn Lloyd who run the club, say they are only one year into their 15-year leasehold and have been conducting business as usual since hearing of the application.

Mr Jenkins told the Argus he "can't do anything with the place for 15 years" because of the lease, yet refused to answer why he has applied for outline planning permission , which if granted would only last for three years.

All he would say was that it was a "personal matter," the licensees will be able to renew the lease at the end of the period if they wish, and that people who have booked events should have no reason to worry.

But that still left members in the dark as to his plans for the site and he would not answer whether he intended to sell the club or not, repeatedly saying it was a "personal matter."

Neighbour Tony Shier is part of a protest group opposed to the planning application. Mr Shier has lived next door to the club for 15 years.

“He is ripping out the heart of the community.”

“Why take it away when it’s thriving It’s a disgrace to get rid of it.”

Mr Shier said a petition was being organised, “By hook or crook we’ve got to stop it.”