Kettering Town Council objects to snooker club transformation into flats

Kettering Town Council has taken a stand against plans to ‘wholly demolish’ a snooker hall in the town centre and turn the site into flats.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to save Cuetopia, formerly known as Spot On, from being replaced with a three-floor apartment block on top of existing retail units in Montagu Street.

Developers Certain Security Limited have their sights set on the Kettering venue to replace it with 30 apartments.

They said in a planning statement that the building is ‘clearly of its time’ and have argued for its demolition.

Blueprints illustrate plans for the first two floors to be made up of 20 one-bedroom apartments and the third floor and roof to contain 10 two-bedroom flats with additional office space.

Kettering Town Council has now responded to the plans, calling the venue a ‘well used and important community and leisure asset’ in the centre of Kettering.

It went on to say that the development does not match the existing street scene and ‘overshadows’ adjacent buildings leading to a loss of light.

It also highlighted the absence of purpose-built parking spaces for the apartments, saying that it is ‘not reasonable’ to expect residents to rely on pay and display car parks and public transport.

Locals have also taken time to object to the flats through the planning portal, lodging their complaints with North Northamptonshire Council who will have the ultimate decision over whether the development can go ahead.

One resident wrote in their objections: “The snooker club is well loved and well used by lots old and young. It will be a real shame to lose the snooker hall and a further nail in the coffin for a dying town centre.”

Another said: “Additional sub par flats is the last thing this town centre needs and is a simple act of greed from the landlord. These flats have no parking and will cause even more disruptions in an already overcrowded area of the town for parking.

“With only the bowling alley and the cinema left as entertainment this will give the people of Kettering even more reason to travel to other towns such as Corby who have significantly more retail and entertainment.”

A third said: “As a town centre, Kettering is dying. Removing yet another local business in favour of housing will only accelerate its decline.

“With a celebrity name now from the area in the top ranks of World Snooker (Kyren Wilson), shouldn’t we be trying to embrace this and perhaps grow the sport locally. “

North Northants Council will decide on whether to approve the apartments.

A target decision date for the beginning of May has been submitted by the authority.