Amusement arcade comes a step closer
Planning permission has been granted for a controversial amusement arcade in Cambuslang – but the man behind the proposal has yet to secure a licence to operate it.
Mohammed Jawab was yesterday (Tuesday) granted planning permission to open the amusement arcade in the former TSB Bank building on Main Street.
However, planners at South Lanarkshire Council warned Mr Jawab would only be able to run a gaming and gambling business from the premises if he secured a licence.
They say he is yet to apply to the local authority’s licensing department and the Gambling Commission.
Planning permission for the venture was agreed, despite strong opposition by Cambuslang Community Council.
The group raised eight key concerns about the proposal including the building’s proximity to St Bride’s Primary School, the fact that parts of Cambuslang are in the bottom 15 per cent of the Scottish Index of multiple deprivation and the perceived risk of increased crime in and around amusement arcades.
But in a report, put before councillors at yesterday’s meeting of the planning committee, officers said concerns about the number of existing gambling outlets in the town and anti-social behaviour would be addressed as part of the licensing application.
It read: “Many of the issues raised in the objections and from the submission from Cambuslang Community Council would be subject to consideration in the required licensing application for this type of establishment.
“Licencing and Registration have advised that they have not received an application for this unit and this would be required before the operation could commence.
“Should the granting of planning consent be considered, this would not preclude the necessity for consent from the appropriate licensing authorities.”
It added: “An advertisement application would be required for any proposed signage and a further planning application would be required for any proposed alterations to the shop frontage.”
Council officers also said the number of machines in the building would be included in any licensing application, along with possible opening times.
However they suggested opening hours should coincide with others across South Lanarkshire, which is: Mondays to Saturdays, between 9am and 8pm, and Sundays, between 10am and 8pm.
David Porter, secretary of Cambuslang Community Council, said members were “disappointed” at the outcome.
He said: “Cambuslang Community Council will continue its opposition to this proposed development, and argue at any licensing hearing that there are already too many gambling establishments in and around Cambuslang Man Street.
“We understand that this argument can hold for alcohol sales licenses, and it would seem logical that this should also apply to gambling ones.”
The Reformer was unable to contact Mr Jawab.