Adult gaming centre at 168 Northdown Road, Margate

“The report concerns planning application F/TH/25/1018 for ‘Change of use of ground floor shop (Use Class E) to Adult Gaming Centre (Sui Generis), together with erection of single storey rear extension, raising of existing rear flat roof, erection of 3.5m high walls at rear to create enclosed smoking area, changes to rear fenestration, installation of 2no. air conditioning units, replacement timber shopfront and associated alterations’.”

“This application is brought back following the decision by members at the planning committee meeting on the 18th February 2026 to approve the application. Following the resolution to grant, an issue was identified in that the Noise Impact Assessment had not been updated following the amending of plans to remove the roof of the proposed smoking shelter.”

“Members considered this planning application for the change of use of the ground floor of the building to an Adult Gaming Centre and associated development at the planning committee meeting on 18th February 2026, where members voted to approve the application.”

“An updated NIA has been submitted which includes revised calculations without the mitigation provided by the roof of the smoking shelter and the use of a revised lower, more robust, baseline level. The assessment concludes that with mitigation in place, including limiting the use of the smoking area to between 7am and 11pm and monitoring the behaviour of customers, the use of the smoking area will not be harmful to the living conditions of neighbours.”

“Environmental Health have reviewed the updated NIA and are satisfied with the baseline noise levels used in the assessment. They confirm the original 11pm curfew condition is an acceptable safeguarding measure against unreasonable noise disturbance from patrons using the smoking area. However, as the assessment is based on three people using the smoking area, they do recommend that this restriction is included within the Noise Management Plan (NMP).”

“Prior to the first use of the premises hereby approved, a post-completion sound insulation testing report shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The report shall demonstrate that the separating floor/ceiling construction between the Adult Gaming Centre and the residential flat above achieves a minimum airborne sound insulation performance of between 62–65 dB DnT,w + Ctr and NR10, in accordance with the approved Noise Impact…”

“The premises shall not be used for any form of regulated entertainment as defined in the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended), including but not limited to live music, amplified live music, or amplified recorded music. Only background music shall be permitted at the premises, which shall be played at a level that is not audible beyond the curtilage of the building.”

“The Chair proposed and the Vice Chair seconded to APPROVE the officer recommendation, Subject to the following safeguarding conditions:”

“When put to the vote the motion was AGREED.”