PLANS to convert a snooker hall into flats were dramatically rejected at a town hall meeting yesterday.

Dozens of protestors, many with placards and banners, arrived at the planning committee's meeting in a bid to save Darlington Snooker Club, in Corporation Road.

Council officers had recommended the flats be approved, but after a hearing lasting half an hour, councillors agreed with the protestors and rejected the proposals.

The snooker club's supporters, who had crowded into the committee room, greeted the decision with applause and cries of "well done". The snooker club owner, who wanted to build the flats, said he will consider appealing.

Club supporter Mr Turner addressed the committee and said: "It doesn't really matter what the name of Darlington Snooker Club is - it is a community facility.

"There are wedding receptions, funeral teas, fundraising, holiday specials for kids and coaching."

Mr Turner said Northgate was in danger of becoming a "heartless area of flats". Derek White, the club owner who proposed the flats, said he bought the building in 1967.

Since then, a bingo club, a pool hall, and two snooker clubs had failed to be successful.

The most recent club, which opened in 1999, had been in rent arrears for three of the eight years, although it was now up-to-date with rent, he said.

Councillors had concerns over a lack of parking spaces, the loss of community facilities, too many flats in the area and alterations to a building in a conservation area.

Officers said the flats did not need parking spaces because they would be near the town centre.

But Councillor Isobel Hartley said: "I'm pretty sure they will be parking in Corporation Road, which is already parked up."

Councillor David Lyonette said: "Although officers are saying it's in the town centre, I do not really see it as the town centre."

Councillor Bill Stenson added: "Some great snooker players have played there for a number of years and it would be a shame if it was going to go."

Derek White, the snooker club owner and applicant, said he was "surprised" the plans were rejected.

"I will wait and see what the written reasons are for refusal before we consider an appeal," he said.

"I was surprised, considering they went against all the recommendations from the officers."

If the plans had been approved, the development would not have been built until 2009.