Historic Rugeley snooker hall on track to be saved
A historic building in Rugeley is on track to be saved after councillors agreed that it can be used for housing.
Heron Court in Rugeley was built in 1851 and is now owned by the town's snooker club.
The club wants to preserve it by allowing developers to restore the inside – and preserve some of its best gothic features outside.
One plan, which could cost up to £1.7 million, includes turning Heron Court itself into 11 flats and then building another eight flats and two three-bedroom houses on land behind it.
Rugeley Snooker Club's president Nick Lyons said: "First and foremost we aren't making decision at the moment but our main concern is looking after our lovely building.
"The main reason we went for the application is because we cannot afford the upkeep on the building.
"Everything is astronomical but the people of Rugeley want to keep the building."
Some residents are opposed to the project because they are worried about the height of the potential apartment building – but council officers said those matters are irrelevant because the application grants only outline permission.
Cannock Chase District Council's planning committee unanimously passed the plan at a meeting on Wednesday.
Heron Court, a building included in the Rugeley Town Centre Partnership Scheme, was built by Joseph Whitgreave, a co-founder of St Joseph and St Etheldreda Church, on Lichfield Street.
The Sisters of the Christian Retreat used the building from 1903 and the Rugeley Billiards Club bought the building about 40 years ago.
The snooker club hopes to have another headquarters built elsewhere on the site after the development is completed.
In planning reports, Rugeley's Landor Local History Society agreed the 19th century building would need to remain prominent and unhidden by any apartment building but said they were keen to see it restored to its former glory.
Last year the council's head of planning and regeneration Bob Phillips said about work taking place at Heron Court: "It is hoped that the investment in Rugeley and the work taking place will encourage other building owners to invest in their own properties."
