THE developer of Chippenham's former Goldiggers nightclub says a detailed planning application will be handed over the week after next.

Barry Jones, the director of E&J Commercial Property said a primary occupier had signed up and blamed the uncertain economic climate for some of the delay.

"The market has been in turmoil these last six to nine months," he said.

"It's taken a lot longer than anyone anticipated, but we have finalised everything with the primary occupier.

"But we're still talking to the district council a year after we started talking to them."

Mr Jones said he would reveal the name of occupier when the planning application was submitted but Chicago Rock Caf operators Luminar have confirmed they are checking out a site in the town.

"We should start working on the site within four weeks of getting planning consent," said Mr Jones.

In October last year Luminar spokesman John Brett confirmed it was one of the tenants checking out the Timber Street site.

Luminar, with head offices in Luton, is the UK's largest owner and operator of late-night licensed entertainment venues.

This week spokesman Steve Dennis said Chippenham had been identified as a possible site for a Chicago Rock Caf, the dining and entertainment experience, but he refused to confirm the site.

"We have not concluded any deal yet," he said.

Mr Dennis was also unable to indicate when a deal might be finalised.

Luminar opened Trowbridge Chicago Rock Caf in February 2002.

North Wiltshire District Council owns the site and leader Coun David Packham said: "I await the planning application with some anticipation, having been promised several times it was imminent."

Last week Coun Packham spoke out about his irritation the deal with E&J was taking so long to complete and warned the project could fall through if the planning application was not submitted by the end of May.

E&J wants to tear down the Art Deco former cinema and nightclub and build new properties for leisure use, with an element of retail.

The developer recently closed its Bath office and operates from regional offices in Chichester and Taunton.

The district council agreed in principle the building could be demolished despite a public consultation indicating most people wanted the building retained.