The High Court has rejected moves by AMF Bowling Ltd aimed at preventing an international competition-standard bowling alley in Crawley from being turned into offices.
The refusal of permission for judicial review of the proposal means that the alley, home to one of the UK’s leading male bowlers, Phil Scammell, the country’s top female bowler, Lisa John, and several youth players for the England team, will close on 16 March.
Cheryl Jones, counsel for AMF, told the judge that AMF Bowling, with its competition-standard lanes and machinery, was “an important local, national and international centre for bowling” that catered for competitive bowlers.
Rejecting AMF’s application, Lightman J said that the council had looked carefully at all the considerations, and had decided, as was within their discretion, that the disadvantages of the redevelopment were “more than compensated for” by the advantages.
He said: “It is clear that the AMF bowling centre has unique qualities that are not at the other centre. There are, therefore, grounds for saying that the bowling centre is not surplus to requirements. However, it seems quite clear that the decision was made on the basis that alternative provision could be made.”
Application of AMF Bowling Ltd Queen’s Bench Division (Lightman J) 17 February 2003.
References: PLS News 18/02/03
