West Bromwich snooker hall plan gets thumbs down
Plans for a snooker hall in West Bromwich have been rejected after concerns about anti-social behaviour and parking problems.
Councillors turned down the application for the nine-table club in Pleasant Street at Sandwell planning committee’s recent meeting.
Opposing the application, local councillor John Edwards said if passed it could see an increase in anti-social behaviour.
He added local people feared the snooker hall would also operate beyond its proposed closing time.
He said: “The closing time of 9pm in residents’ view, and in my view, would be very, very difficult if not impossible to enforce.
"At nine o’clock at night police aren’t around and council officers aren’t around.
"The only people who could monitor breach of conditions would be the the residents themselves.
"The closing times would be unenforceable and the issues of anti-social behaviour would be increased."
Members of the committee questioned whether proposed parking for 21 cars for was sufficient given up to four players could use each table and the plans included a refreshment area for a further 10 customers.
There are also plans for four rooms where computer games could be played.
Councillor Jackie Taylor, opposing the plans, said: “There is a real fear of crime in this area and this snooker hall will add to that.”
The application was rejected unanimously.
By George Makin, Local Democracy Reporter
