Plans for bedsits on one of Derbyshire's most notorious roundabouts are set for approval.

Despite concerns around traffic noise and parking, plans to turn a former funeral directors on the infamous Clock Roundabout in Woodville into a nine-room bedsit (house in multiple occupation) have been recommended for approval.

South Derbyshire District Council planners have said the application, submitted by Rahul Patel for 1, High Street, should be granted due it bringing a vacant retail unit back into use.

They wrote that "technically" the applicant had failed to fully prove that the retail unit has been sufficiently marketed to prove that it was unviable and that there was a lack of interest in reopening it.

However, a report to be debated by councillors on March 2 says: "When considering the planning balance, the benefits of filling what is currently a neglected vacant unit and providing bedsit accommodation within a sustainable location as a result of being within the settlement boundary of Swadlincote, it would outweigh the negative impacts of the potential loss of a retail unit within the local centre and is therefore considered acceptable."

Officers also write that the proposed bedsits may cause less disturbance than if the building was to be reused as a shop, due to the associated "comings and goings of both staff and customers".

Officers said that objections raised by residents and Woodville Parish Council were either not relevant or did not outweigh the identified benefits.

The parish council opposed the plans due to the total lack of any parking spaces on site, at a spot in the county infamous for traffic and congestion, which could be worsened if more vehicles park on the surrounding roads.

Three objection letters were submitted by residents to the council. They read: "Barriers in front of the property have been severely buckled on many occasions, it is only a matter of time until a car or lorry hits the front of the building causing structural damage and danger to life.

"I doubt very much that young professionals would want to live on a busy traffic island, the property would end up being used as temporary low rent accommodation and a breeding ground for anti-social behaviour and drug use.

"The building should be demolished and the traffic island improved."

Councillors on the authority's planning committee will decide on the plans at a virtual meeting tomorrow (Tuesday).