A FORMER museum which has remained empty despite a number of conversion plans may finally be reopened as a snooker club.

The former Museum Of Automata, in Tower Street, has remained empty over the past few years despite pub chain JD Wetherspoon submitting plans to City of York Council, which were rejected, and councillors approving plans to transform the building into a restaurant, which were never acted on. Now an alternative plan submitted by Aligul Kala to transform the building into a members-only snooker club looks set to be approved.

The plans concern the ground flood of the building which would be turned into a snooker club with a bar.

The upper floors are used as offices and residential flats.

The club's closing time has already been cut back from 3am to 11.30pm and 11pm on Sundays due to objections by local residents.

A report to councillors states: "Since the museum closed it has been difficult to find a suitable use for the premises.

"In May 2001 permission was issued to change the use of the ground floor to a food and drink A3 use, following an earlier refusal of planning permission to change the use to in effect a public house and wine bar.

"Officers believe that the proposed use, subject to appropriate conditions and controls, could be a suitable use for the building in the way that the restaurant use as recently approved was felt not to intrude upon the amenity of local residents."

The application would be subject to conditions such as noise insulation for the flats, air conditioning installation and the provision of security measures.

The report concludes: "Officers are able to support this application. It will provide a suitable use, subject to the conditions suggested, for an awkwardly located building. In particular the reduced hours will help to protect the amenities of local residents."

Details of recent comments from residents will be given at the meeting, which is taking place at the Guildhall on Thursday, September 5.

Updated: 14:19 Monday, September 02, 2002