Plans for 63 affordable flats on a former nightclub site will go ahead after councillors received assurances over noise.

Dozens of people objected to Aspire Housing's £18 million proposals for two blocks of flats on the former site of the Zanzibar nightclub in Newcastle-under-Lyme, with many fearing the development would put The Rigger music venue at risk.

The objectors were concerned that future residents would make noise complaints about The Rigger, which stands on the other side of Marsh Parade. Members of the planning committee at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council put off making a decision last month so the noise issue could be considered in more detail.

An updated report includes specific planning conditions relating to maximum noise levels, non-opening windows and mechanical ventilation systems.

Officers told the committee that similar conditions had been imposed on the Marsh Box residential development, which stands closer to The Rigger, and there had been no noise complaints from residents since it opened five years ago.

Committee members said they were satisfied with these conditions and voted to approve the application. Dan Gray, executive director of place at Aspire Housing, said the scheme would help reduce the waiting list for social housing in Newcastle and bring a key gateway site back into use.

He said: "While we understand the concerns raised by the management and patrons of The Rigger, the application clearly demonstrates that these have been addressed in full and should not prevent the scheme from receiving planning permission.

"The reality is that this scheme faces delivery time pressure linked to the Town Deal and Homes England funding, and further delays will put the funding and delivery of the scheme at risk."

Concerns had been raised by the management of The Rigger. (LDRS)

The development will consist of two four-storey blocks on the Zanzibar site, which has been vacant for years. Councillors had raised concerns over the impact on local roads, as the scheme would only have 13 parking spaces.

But officers told the committee that the planning inspector had recently overturned the council's decision to block a development of 55 students flats in Liverpool Road, partly due to parking concerns. The inspector had given 'significant weight' to the town centre being a sustainable location, meaning parking issues would have to be severe in order to justify refusal.

Committee members said they were now satisfied with the proposals.

Councillor Andrew Fear said: "There is a nearer residential development on Marsh Parade with noise mitigation in place, and there have been no problems in that regard, so I can't see that similar noise mitigation here would be a problem.

"And we need to develop this site. I've led a campaign to make sure we put brownfield sites first in this borough – you don't get more brownfield than this. These are units we need in the town. There is not a noise issue."

Cllr Richard Gorton added: "I think the benefits of this scheme outweigh any disadvantages. The additional reports we've had have been very helpful, and have cleared up any doubts expressed at the last meeting."

Cllr Gorton queried the need for sealed windows, suggesting it could be an 'onerous' condition. Officers said the noise mitigation measures would be discussed in further detail with environmental health officers.