The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Bingo hall plans spark concerns
PLANS for a new bingo hall in Wallsend have sparked concerns over the number of gambling outlets in the area.
LOL Entertainment Ltd submitted plans to convert a vacant shop, formally the North East Baby Store at 15 High Street West last month.
However, two objections have been lodged to the proposition ahead of a council meeting next week to decide on the application.
One objector - Wallsend councillor Louise Marshall - requested the plans be brought to North Tyneside Council’s planning committee and has submitted a written opposition to the prospective bingo hall.
Coun Marshall highlighted a section in the application which calls for the change of use from retail to a “bingo/ casino”.
Coun Marshall wrote: “Whilst I can see the social aspects of bingo for the community, this application seems much more about serious gambling than a friendly social bingo game.”
Coun Marshall continued: “At last count, Wallsend had four gambling outlets in the space of what is probably less than 100m and this is on top of poker machines in the Forum Markets and probably others located in the many pubs.
“The appearance of Wallsend will never change if the council continues to allow a proliferation of betting outlets.”
Coun Marshall, in a separate document to the council, stated that she is not against bingo halls “overall” but has concerns about the location of this proposal.
Planning company ‘rr planning ltd,’ representing nearby businesses, in a written submission to the council, said: “The subject unit is a large doublefronted unit located in a key protected frontage that is rightly protected for retail use. The local authority has a long-term duty to preserve the retail character of the town centre.
“Whilst all centres may suffer from vacancy this is not sufficient enough justification in this instance to set the clear breach of adopted local plan policy aside.”
The opposition comes despite council officers’ recommendation to approve the application and the installation of the bingo venue.
A council report on the application states the lounge is different to other establishments in the area, and that there is no existing bingo in the town centre.
Council officers also stated that the venture could generate employment in the area.