‘No evidence’ West Bromwich snooker hall adds to crime
A West Bromwich snooker hall residents feared would make their lives a misery can open for longer hours – after a watchdog said there is no evidence it would increase crime and anti-social behaviour.
The Planning Inspector has now given the go-ahead for the nine-table Hustlers Snooker Lounge on Pleasant Street to open until 3am – overturning a decision to refuse the request by Sandwell Council’s planning committee.
Explaining his finding, the government watchdog said: “I have no convincing evidence before me to show that any reported crime in the area is directly linked to the snooker hall or its operation as a business.”
Housed in a converted factory, the hall’s victory comes after councillors backed objections from nearby residents and threw out the application to extend its opening hours.
Rejecting the extension in May last year, the council said it would give rise to the potential for an increase in anti-social behaviour, noise and general disturbance to residents during unsociable hours, and would result in an increased fear of crime.
But following an appeal, the planning inspector said: “The snooker hall operates a strict no alcohol and no drugs policy and has 24-hour CCTV security cameras installed.
"Furthermore, the police have not objected to the proposal and based on the evidence before me I see no reason to disagree.”
Residents also claimed the extension would cause noise nuisance noise as customers arrived and left during the early hours.
But the inspector dismissed their fears saying no substantive evidence had been presented to support their claims.
