Agenda item

Ward

Staines

Proposal

Change of use of ground floor from vacant bank to a proposed bingo hall

Recommendation

Grant planning permission subject to conditions, as set out at Paragraph 8 of the report

Description:

Change of Use of Ground Floor from Vacant Bank to a Proposed Bingo Hall

Additional Information:

There was none.

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Councillor Williams spoke as Ward Councillor against the proposed development raising the following key points:

1.    The application conflicts with TC1 and TC2 of the adopted Core Strategy and Policy EC2 of the emerging Local Plan

2.    TC1 identifies Staines Town as the principal town within the Borough and developments should contribute to the vitality and viability of the centre

3.    TC2 refers to the maintenance of the dominance of retailing in the shopping frontage that would support the town’s primary retail role particularly in primary area such as the High Street

4.    Non-retail usage should not be allowed if it denies retail space; converting the empty bank building into a Bingo Hall would result in the loss of the potential for retail usage

5.    There is no evidence that this site is unviable for retail usage

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

1.    The building is a local listed building and not a statutory listed building

2.    No alterations could be made to the facade but internal alterations would be considered

3.    Consider this to be a gaming centre, not a Bingo Hall

4.    Would result in the removal of potential retail space

5.    Why is the application for 24 hours opening

6.    The operators could add further gambling games onto the electronic screens

7.    No alcohol or food would be served on the premises. Would this be enforceable

8.    Where would the customers park

9.    Increase in noise for neighbouring residential properties

10. Users of the Bingo Hall would have to be over 18 yrs

11. Staines does not need a Bingo Hall but does need more vibrant public houses instead

12. If the operators wanted to game this from a Bingo Hall to a adult gaming centre they would need to submit a planning application

13. Too close to a children’s nursery

14. This application does not result in overdevelopment of the site as the building is not to be altered

15. Could a condition be added to restrict the opening hours to 9am to 11pm.

Councillor Geraci proposed, Councillor Rutherford seconded and the Committee agreed to add the following condition:

The use hereby permitted shall only take place between the following hours, 09.00 and 23.00, the reason to safeguard the amenity of nearby residential properties.

The Committee voted as follows:

For – 1

Against – 10

Abstain – 2

Councillor Lee requested that his vote to abstain appeared in the minutes.

The motion to approve the application FELL

It was proposed by Councillor Geraci and seconded by Councillor Woodward that the Local Planning Authority is minded to refuse the application as the proposed use would introduce a non-Class E use in the designated primary shopping area, it will negatively affect the amenity of local residents and will not positively contribute to the viability and vitality of the high street contrary to policy TC2, EN11 of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD 2009 and the NPPF.

The Committee voted as follows:

For – 10

Against – 1

Abstain – 2

Decision:

The motion to refuse the application was carried for the following reasons:

The Local Planning Authority is minded to refuse the application as the proposed use would introduce a non-Class E use in the designated primary shopping area, it will negatively affect the amenity of local residents and will no positively contribute to the viability and vitality of the high street contrary to policy TC2, EN11 of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD 2009 and the NPPF.