Public inquiry for snooker hall development (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Public inquiry for Southfields snooker hall development

7:30am Friday 6th July 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki

A four-day public inquiry is going to be held into plans to redevelop a former snooker hall in Southfields.

An application to redevelop Riley's Snooker Hall in Wimbledon Park Road was turned down by the council in April, with owners Gresham Pensions Trustees Ltd told to re-think their plans.

More than 400 objections were made by residents who wanted the building to remain a leisure facility, instead of the mixed development of shops, flats and leisure the owners proposed.

Gresham Pensions Trustees Ltd are now appealing against the decision, with an inquiry due to take place in the Town Hall from September 21 run by an independent planning inspector.

Rob Richman, chairman of the Southfields Plaza Campaign Group, is asking campaigners to re-submit their objections to the planning inspectorate to highlight their case.

He said: "We are disappointed that Gresham have chosen this course of action but we are optimistic that the appeal will be dismissed.

"We are obviously asking to be heard at the public inquiry, and asking supporters to write in and say they still feel the same."

The original planning application in January sought to build 21 apartments on the site, plus other leisure amenities.

Residents' initial concerns centred around the reduction of the leisure space in Southfields, as well the impact of more people moving into the area.

Other objections include fears the development would cause the area to lose its village feel and worries over parking space.

However, some people were in support of the development, claiming it will get rid of the "eyesore" of the former snooker hall.

Visit southfieldsplaza.co.uk