Remarkable planning officers have just rejected an application to demolish the historic Windmill Snooker Club based in Rushden, Northamptonshire. Local advocates and stakeholders are celebrating the Circuit’s continued existence with this decision. Former world champion Peter Ebdon, who learned his trade at the club, joined players to celebrate. The original proposal aimed to demolish the existing two-storey brick-built social club and replace it with affordable homes. It did not go on to provide sufficient rationale for the tear down.
The Windmill Snooker Club had gorgeous stained-glass bay windows and a social, clubby vibe. It has, for years, been a favoured watering hole of flagrant snooker fans. Ebdon went on to win the world championship in 2002. He trained there with compatriot Kyren Wilson, who snared the same title a year later in 2024. Despite its historical significance, the club faced challenges due to its size, which was deemed too large for the current number of patrons.
Planning officers pre-emptively blamed the possible lack of financial sustainability of the club. However, they noted that it was deemed “financially burdensome to maintain” in light of the plummeting attendance. In their report, they required the developer to “provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the community facility is no longer viable, no longer needed by the community or incapable of being retained for alternative community use.”
The proposal encountered vigorous resistance from the local community, which joined together in support of the club. An online petition urging the city to preserve it garnered 2,476 signatures. In celebration of the planning officers’ decision, a disco party was organized, reflecting the strong community spirit surrounding the venue.
Local supporters celebrated the refusal as a major victory. At the same time, the developer that came up with the original demolition plan, Venture Properties Group (VPG), expressed their frustration. They noted that social and working men’s clubs nationwide are experiencing a prolonged decline and argued that their proposal could have brought “significant benefits for the community, including fostering social inclusion, cohesion and diversity.”
Additionally, concerns were raised regarding potential “unacceptable adverse amenity impacts on the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings,” contributing to the planning officers’ decision.
