Plans to demolish a town's community centre would leave locals without access to its vital services for some time, councillors fear.
West Norfolk and King's Lynn Borough Council's planning sub-committee met to consider the future of the Providence Street Community Centre in Hillington Square at a meeting on Monday (July 17).
Freebridge Housing Association proposes to flatten a number of vacant flat blocks along with the centre to make way for 65 new homes and commercial or community spaces.
Fears were raised during the meeting that locals would face months without the vital services the centre offers after the demolition, which includes a nursery, sports hall and community rooms.
A portacabin and vacant shops in the town were suggested as potential alternative venues but planning officers were doubtful Freebridge could be made to provide alternative provisions as part of the planning conditions.
However, new community spaces are expected to be created upon the project's completion.
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Councillor Deborah Heneghan highlighted the need for care during the construction process due to the close proximity to All Saints Church - the oldest church building in the town.
It was also agreed that a community cafe to replace the existing one should be one of the conditions for the plans.
Concerns have been raised about the colour of the bricks for the buildings, with Natural England and conservation officers suggesting they should be red to match the existing flat blocks in Hillington Square.
The area has long been earmarked for regeneration.
Freebridge housing association has invested £20m into transforming the square, modernising four blocks on the estate, which lies near the Ouse waterfront.
Earlier plans for the estate were thrown out by the council after the design was labelled "ugly" and "Soviet communist".
Providence Street Community Centre was saved from closure after it was bought by developers Freebridge in 2014.
But it may not be long before they tear it down instead, if the council approve the plans.
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