Notorious nightclub LuXe is one step closer to being demolished with officers recommending the plan goes ahead.

Once known as The Royal Standard, the 19th century Loughton High Road building is now home to late night “Marbella reunions” and has tables from £400 for an evening.

Epping Forest District Council planners are backing applicant Amit Kundra, who hopes to demolish the building and build a new four-storey block of flats with a shop on the ground floor.

However, officials and members of the public are making urgent calls to protect the venue’s “beautiful” front.

Although keen to see the end of LuXe, which has been blamed for late night noise and been linked with a number of violent assaults, the Loughton Residents Association said: “We strongly object to this application because it would involve the loss of the façade of the building, which is an 1860s building standing opposite the site of Loughton’s first station, and one of the few remaining parts of the town’s history.

“Although the exterior of the building is currently unattractive, we believe that it is possible to clean off black paint and to retain the Royal Standard sign.”

In the agenda for next week’s planning meeting, the Loughton and District Historical Society makes a passionate plea for the façade to be maintained.

The “Shoreditch model” tavern was originally built in 1862 to provide refreshment for travellers arriving in Loughton and heading into the forest.

The society said: “It is an important relic of the time when Loughton was primarily a tourist destination.

“The building is in our view definitely an undesignated heritage asset.”

Loughton Town Council also called the Royal Standard sign, currently hidden beneath LuXe’s own, an “iconic feature” in the town.

Despite the prominent calls for the building to be adapted rather than demolished, Mr Kundra’s agent claims the façade cannot be kept because of the amount of work and cost involved.

He also says that a conversion “is not feasible”, a view backed by council planners.

With the plans proceeding the club continues to host events with two floors of music, despite being ordered to stop operating as a club in October last year.

Maintenance work has also been carried out, with the venue closing yesterday (September 14) for painting before the weekend.

Councillors will vote on the application from Mr Kundra next Wednesday (September 21).