Issue - meetings

Refused planning permission on the basis of overconcentration of such uses, contrary to Policy BE5 Paragraph D of Brent’s Local Plan.

PROPOSAL

Change of use from betting office to amusement centre (adult gaming centre) and alterations to shopfront at 5 Park Parade. Retention of (reduced size) betting office and alterations to the rear elevation comprising removal of louvre vent and installation of new door at 6 Park Parade.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to:

(1)      That the Head of Planning is delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives as detailed in the report.

Damian Manhertz, Team Leader, South Area Planning Team, introduced the report and set out the key issues. In introducing the report members were advised that the application sought a change of use from betting office to amusement centre (adult gaming centre) and alterations to shopfront at 5 Park Parade. Retention of (reduced size) betting office and alterations to the rear elevation comprising removal of louvre vent and installation of new door at 6 Park Parade. The existing site currently comprised of a vacant betting shop that sat within a three storey Victorian terrace with residential properties above. The site was located within secondary shopping frontage within Harlesden Town Centre, and the Harlesden Creative Cluster. The site was located in an Archaeological Priority Area, with a site of Archaeological Importance situated to the rear boundary. The site was within an air quality management area and the Harlesden and Willesden Junction Air Quality Focus Area. The site was not listed nor located within a conservation area.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the supplementary agenda that provided information in relation to how Policy BE5 had been applied in terms of ensuring there was not an overconcentration of betting shops/adult gaming centres within town centres with the Officers’ recommendation remaining to approve the application subject to the conditions and informatives as detailed in the report and an additional condition requiring formal Secured by Design accreditation prior to first occupation of the units.

The Chair thanked Damian Manhertz for introducing the report.  As there were no Committee questions raised at this point, the Chair invited the first speaker Will Newton (objector) to address the Committee (online) in relation to the application with the following key points highlighted:

·                Local residents were strongly opposed to the application.

·                Residents were making a conscious effort to take pride in the community and would welcome positive uses of the site; however, it was felt that the proposed use of an adult gaming centre and betting shop would have a negative community impact.

·                Concerns were raised that the proposed application was particularly exploitative of the most vulnerable members the community.

·                There were already adult gaming centres in close proximity, therefore it was questioned why another one was necessary.

·                Residents were concerned that the addition of a further adult gaming centre would exacerbate the existing anti-social behaviour (ASB) prevalent around Park Parade.

·                On the basis of the concerns raised, Mr Newton urged the Committee to reject the application.

The Vice Chair (in the Chair) thanked Mr Newton for addressing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4