PLANS to replace a former Southampton snooker hall with 12 flats and houses have taken another step forward.

Earlier this year London-based Parnosa Ltd was given permission to transform a site currently occupied by Rileys American Pool and Snooker at Church End, Shirley.

Now the city council has received a follow-up application relating to demolition methods and what will happen during the building work.

The single-storey building, which is opposite St Boniface Church, was used as a warehouse before becoming a snooker hall in the 1960s.

A design and access statement statement that formed part of the main application said: "The site has been vacant for a number of years and attracts anti-social behaviour.

"There is an urgent need to achieve a housing development on the site to enhance the character of the area."

Referring to St Boniface the statement added: "The church is of a unique design and a prominent building. It also a tower which is a prominent feature in the skyline.

"The application is within 20 metres of the church and careful consideration has therefore been given to the design of this revised scheme, which is far smaller than the previously proposed scheme and set back from the church.

"Views of the church from surrounding buildings will still be facilitated and in some cases improved as a result of the proposals.

"Given the vacant and dilapidated state of the existing building the proposed dwellings will enhance the setting of the church."

As reported in the Daily Echo, Parnosa is planning to replace the former snooker hall with nine flats and a trio of three-bedroom houses.