LANDLORD Brian Foster says he is determined to pursue plans to redevelop the snooker club in Station Road for housing, despite strong opposition from the town council.

His application to demolish the former bus garage and club building and build five town houses, has been recommended for refusal at next Thursday's meeting of Kennet District Council's regulatory committee.

Town councillors have objected to the scheme, saying it would mean the loss of a social amenity within the town centre.

But their comments have infuriated Mr Foster, who said local people don't deserve to have a snooker club.

He said: "If those town councillors would come down here on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night and see it virtually empty, they might change their minds.

"I have spent more than £60,000 changing this place from a snooker club to a family venue offering a wide range of facilities, and no-one wants to know. Devizes doesn't deserve such a facility.

"I am going for this planning permission but I'm not intending to anything about it in the short term.

"I just want to have the option to develop it and get out."

Mr Foster has been granted the licence of the former Munnelly's Bar in Southbroom Road.

He intends for it to revert to its former name of the Rising Sun.

But he said he has been continually frustrated by the lack of action from the owners of the pub, Punch Taverns Limited.

He said the delays would now mean the revamped pub will not open in time for the Christmas festivities.

Mr Foster said: "They keep saying they're going to come down and meet me and then don't turn up.

"There is no way the pub will reopen in time for Christmas.

It's a real shame we will miss Christmas and New Year but I've still got the snooker club and Christmas entertainment will continue there as planned."

Devizes Snooker Club, also known as the Royale Snooker and Social Centre, was opened by former world champion Dennis Taylor in 1991.

The original partners, Dave Hughes and Emily Rogers, sold out to Colin Lee, owner of Trowbridge Snooker Club and father of international professional player, Stephen Lee.

Mr Lee sold it on to Mr Foster to spend more time managing his son's successful career.

But as the interest in snooker on TV waned, so business at the snooker club dropped off. Mr Foster invested heavily to introduce more pool tables and slot machines, major football matches on TV and disco dancing.

But a report to next Thursday's planning meeting said: "The applicant has provided no marketing information or justification for the loss of the leisure use, and how residential development, in comparison, will enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre."