Plans to demolish Acton snooker hall put on hold

Councillors voted eight to one with one abstention to defer the scheme, to allow time for a highways impact, a proper assessment of alternative snooker facilities, and details of natural light impact to be established

The arcade’s businesses at 93 Old Oak Common Lane are safe for now.

This includes London Snooker, a snooker and pool club with 8,000 members, as well as family-run businesses such as Al Manara Butchery, King Kebab and Eye Spy Opticians.

More than 100 residents objected to the application, as well as Ealing Civic Society, neighbouring Hammersmith and Fulham Council and English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards. 

In a rare move, Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq challenged the application before the committee.

In her speech, she highlighted the benefits of the arcade’s businesses for the community in East Acton.

See also https://youtu.be/ikc0w5HuC4c

Ms Huq called on the committee to avoid throwing thriving businesses under the bus in haste.

The decision was welcomed by Mary Watkins, owner of London Snooker. She said: “I am grateful for everybody’s support. They have helped save this community asset for the time being.”

Rupa Huq said later: “I’m grateful to committee members for holding firm. They clearly weren’t put off by the misleading officers’ report.

“The emphatic result makes clear they won’t be giving carte blanche to a greedy developer.

“In particular, London Snooker is a fantastic space, offering unparalleled facilities in London. Players come from far and wide to use the club’s 21 pool and snooker tables.”

The application, by Kaz Investments, shows the planned hotel as five storeys high with 129 rooms.

It claims that more than £500,000 a year in revenue would be generated for businesses, in the area, while 40 jobs would be created.

Residents are encouraged to make their views known on Ealing Council’s website before a final decision is taken.