Gambling centre approved in Cotteridge despite MP's objection

Plans to turn a Cotteridge convenience shop into an adult gaming centre have been approved by Birmingham councillors, despite warnings that the area already has too many gambling premises.

The application, for 15 Watford Road, proposed opening 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It attracted dozens of objections, including one from Al Carns, the Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak.

"Clearly an over-concentration"

According to a council report, Mr Carns raised concerns that the plans could have a "negative impact upon the character of the area", with fears over anti-social behaviour. He said a similar business already operated on Cotteridge High Street and there was "no justification for a second enterprise".

Cllr Roxanne Green, the Green Party councillor for Bournville and Cotteridge, told the planning committee on Thursday 8 October: "The primary shopping area in Cotteridge local centre already has three gambling establishments within 0.1 miles. A fourth gambling centre is clearly an overconcentration."

"I constantly hear from residents about the way the local centre has declined and how it's steadily losing its amenities," she said. "Another adult gaming centre is the last thing the community wants or needs."

The case for approval

Andrew Woods, for the applicants, said the application came from a "family business" that knew the area well. "I appreciate gambling is not everybody's cup of tea," he said. "But in terms of planning considerations and policy, your officer sets out clearly why this application can be granted."

The council's planning officer had judged the proposal "acceptable subject to conditions", saying noise from customers coming and going would be expected in a busy district centre. The report also said the police had found "nothing to suggest at this stage" that the change would lead to more crime or anti-social behaviour.

Fear of an appeal

Several councillors were unhappy. Cllr Joe Peacock (Green, Billesley) asked how four gambling premises within 0.1 miles could not be an over-concentration, and Cllr Duncan Ali (Green, Balsall Heath West) said excessive gambling "creates problems, financial difficulties, stress, family breakdown".

But Cllr Gareth Moore (Conservative, Erdington) pointed out that similar applications had won on appeal after being refused, saying: "Planning history is definitely against us."

The committee chair, Cllr Martin Brooks, said he did not see planning grounds to oppose it, warning that the committee risked "not only losing an appeal but possibly having costs awarded against us". The committee approved temporary planning permission for 12 months.

A separate licence is still needed

Planning permission is only one step. An adult gaming centre also needs a licence under the Gambling Act 2005, and the operator will have to show how it will deal with concerns such as anti-social behaviour, crime and drug taking. Residents can comment when that application is made.

Councils across England have long argued that planning rules give them too little power to stop gambling premises clustering on struggling high streets, a point several committee members made again on Thursday.