A five-storey building housing 152 students and shops is set to replace the former Mecca bingo hall in the heart of Fulham, if planning permission is granted.

An application has been lodged with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to transform the empty Mecca Bingo hall in Vanston Place with 150 self-contained student flats in a Victorian-style brick building. The new development could also house three shops.

Public consultations about the future of the site were held in November last year at St John's Church in North End Road, Fulham. Nearly 70 residents filled in forms about their views on the development planned for the former bingo hall which closed, sparking protests from pensioners, in 2007.

Before it housed Mecca, the site had been home to a Fulham cinema.

A spokeswoman for developer CP Property Developments UK Limited said: "At ground-floor level it is proposed there will be small shops and potentially a cafe. No late night uses, such as bars or discos, are proposed following resident requests at the public consultation events.

"The site will be managed on a 24-hour basis to ensure its smooth running."

Local architect Twigg Brown designed the planned building. Landscaping and cycle parking will be provided but none of the students will be allowed to keep cars at the property.

A Hammersmith and Fulham Council spokeswoman said the application is not expected go before the planning committee before April this year.