The Highcliff Rd bar, which closed earlier this year ending more than 90 years of business, has been bought by Auckland developers who plan to build 25 self-contained retirement apartments on the site.
The plans were revealed in a publicly notified resource consent application and included keeping the bar as a club room for residents and members of the public who paid a membership.
Anderson and Co Resource Management planner Don Anderson, who was authorised to speak on behalf of the developers, said the plan involved saving the bar, which would otherwise probably be demolished.
The developers believed keeping the bar as clubrooms for the retirement village would be a ''unique'' selling point for the facility, Mr Anderson said.
If the plan went ahead, the bar would also once again serve the community, with locals able to join as members.
He was hopeful resource consent would be granted and pointed out the bar would probably be lost forever if the plan was not approved.
''I think the only other option is to bulldoze everything down and subdivide it into conventional house sites.''
Council planner Sophie Lord said the plan was a non-complying activity - which is why the consent was notified.
The proposal did not qualify as a ''community support activity'', as it did not include rest-home level care.
This meant it was considered a ''residential activity'' and, when assessed as such, it breached density rules - the district plan allowed for three residential units on the site and the plan was for 25 in a two-storey building.
Ms Lord, acting on the advice of a transportation planner, also said the plan would have a ''more than minor'' effect on traffic volume and safety in Highcliff Rd.
Submissions on the consent close on January 15.
