Snooker hall conversion will 'strengthen' town

Cuetopia (formerly Spot On) is on Montagu Street in Kettering town centre

The architects behind a potential conversion of a snooker hall into sustainable apartments have said the project will help the area.

Muddy Dog Architects said the regeneration of the Cuetopia building in Kettering into 24 flats would "maintain and strengthen" the local economy.

In March, more than 1,000 people signed a petition against the conversion of the snooker hall into flats, with one resident saying the loss of the snooker hall would "accelerate [Kettering's] decline".

But a spokesperson for the architects said the plan was a "benchmark for future sustainable design and urban living".

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to stop the conversion of the snooker hall into flats

The original plan was to build 30 apartments but that number has been reduced to 24.

The architects said the construction was "cutting edge" with each apartment being "super-insulated" with "minimal" heat loss.

There are also plans for the windows and doors to have moveable sunshields to lower "solar gain" at different times of the year.

Other features would include a private communal courtyard, plant tubs to attract wildlife and large balconies.

'We hope Kettering will be proud'

A spokesperson for Muddy Dog Architects said: "We believe this building will be the most sustainable building in Kettering.

"We hope Kettering will be proud that the developer has the foresight to allow this site to be developed in such a way."

The manager of the snooker club, Laura Hudson-Jones, said: "We are hoping the planning application will be denied.

"We do not want the plan to happen - we feel we're an asset to the community and we're too busy to close."

She added that it would be "brilliant" if the building were registered as an Asset of Community Value.

North Northamptonshire Council will decide on whether to approve the apartments, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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