Plans have been unveiled to demolish the South Norfolk Conservative Association's premises at Diss to make way for 14 apartments overlooking the town's picturesque mere.

Plans have been unveiled to demolish the South Norfolk Conservative Association's premises at Diss to make way for 14 apartments overlooking the town's picturesque mere.

Built about 50 years ago, the Denmark Street building called Grasmere stands on the site of the town's former hospital which later became home to the local Royal British Legion Club.

It serves as the headquarters for the Conservative association, the constituency office for South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon, and is home to Grasmere Social Club - a non-political organisation, some of whose members have reservations about the proposals.

They include plans for a latent heat pump in Diss Mere to provide renewable heating for the new homes, making the development more eco-friendly.

Jon Herbert, the association's treasurer, said the building was given to them by Lord and Lady Mann and is now nearing the end of its lifespan. He said the property is expensive to run, 'costs a fortune to maintain', and would need tens of thousands of pounds spent to bring it up to modern-day standards.

'The social club have a 21 year lease which comes to an end at the end of 2009 so it's an opportunity for the association to review the use of this major asset,' he explained.

'We put together a feasibility study where we looked at various options. In the end, the most favourite one was the possible redevelopment of the site. We believe that would achieve best value ultimately for the association.'

An application seeking outline consent to demolish Grasmere and construct 14 one and two-bedroom apartments with parking for 14 cars has been submitted to South Norfolk Council. If consent is granted, detailed plans would then be forwarded for approval.

'At that point in time we then have the option of 'Do we want to sell?' We haven't yet got to the stage of thinking about relocation,' Mr Herbert said.

He added: 'The club would like to go on as they are, but the hassle with that is the building will eventually get worse.'

Charles Brown, member of the Grasmere Club and local resident, said there was a lot of concern about the proposed use of latent heat from Diss Mere.

'I am very opposed to the development and we want more information. We are concerned about the impact of this heat exchange on the Mere and its fish. We cannot take the extra car parking on Denmark Street,' he said.

Club members were last night due to attend the town council's amenities and services committee which will be considering the association's request to have a heat pump in the mere.