Gambling arcade approved despite hundreds of objections

A new gambling arcade opposed by hundreds of residents will be allowed to open in Tameside after getting the green light from planning chiefs.

The plans to create an ‘adult gaming centre’ or AGC in Droylsden Shopping Centre had gathered 202 objections, with people citing a potential increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Residents also raised concerns about the impact of the development on ‘vulnerable children and addicts’.

The applicant, Cashina Gaming Ltd, had already been given a licence to operate the AGC at hearing in August – despite opposition from the council’s own population health department.

However they needed permission to change the use of two commercial units at the Queens Walk shopping precinct, which meant clearing the hurdle of obtaining planning consent.

Development manager Martyn Leigh told the meeting: “We have received over 200 objections to the application.

“A licence has been granted for the use and part of the publicity around that has in our view contributed to the number of objections we’ve got which is quite significant given the scale of development proposed.”

Mr Leigh added the scheme would create six jobs and the opening hours would be from 7am until midnight, including bank holidays.

Officers had recommended it for approval by the committee.

The agent for the application, Henry Hodgson said the development would help minimise the extent of empty properties in the shopping arcade, and improve the appearance of the town centre.

“If market demand did not exist for this type of use, it is unlikely the applicant would be seeking to locate this premises here,” he told councillors.

“The proposal would generate footfall and link trips enabling commercial uses. This is a well documented positive.”

He added there was ‘no evidence’ to support the claims that it would lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area.

“Adult gaming centres are not the same as betting shops,” he said.

“There is not considered to be a cumulative harm caused by the introduction of this unit to the town centre and the impact of the character of the town centre shopping area.”

The proposal would see a new shop-front installed including roller shutters, and a separate advertisement consent for new signage to be fixed on the front of the unit.

The units had previously been occupied by Cheshire Building Society and Santander bank.

Councillor George Jones asked whether the company had a responsibility to provide support and information to people who may suffer from addiction.

“That’s what people worry about, that this is going to exacerbate it in a social form,” he said.

“I’d just like to know what measures are put in place.”

Mr Hodgson responded that the staff in venues would be on the floor rather than behind counters and would interact with customers.

They would also be local employees and could therefore ‘form that rapport’ with customers, he added.

The plans were approved unanimously by councillors.