Adult gaming centre at 14-15 Cornhill, Bridgwater

Change of use to an adult gaming centre

The application sought change of use from a shop to a 24-hour adult gaming centre, with alterations to the shopfront.

“The Planning Officer introduced the application with the aid of a presentation. The Officer explained that the application was to consider Change of use from Retail (Class E(a)) to an Adult Gaming Centre (Sui Generis) with 24/7 hours operation and alterations to the shopfront.”

Minutes

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the application and the agent addressed councillors.

Officers pointed to the town centre policy

Officers said members' concerns matched a policy protecting the vitality of the town centre and suggested that as the strongest refusal reason.

“Councillors raised concerns that a prominent adult gaming centre would not enhance the image of the town centre, questioned whether the proposal would undermine the retail function of a key town-centre location. Officers advised that members' concerns appeared to align most closely with Policy D18, which seeks to ensure non-retail uses in primary retail frontages do not undermine the retail function, vitality and viability of the town centre.”

Minutes

Residential amenity above the shops

Councillors highlighted growing residential use above shops; officers said noise or disturbance to residents could support a refusal.

“Councillors highlighted increasing residential occupation above shops and questioned whether such a use was compatible with wider regeneration ambitions for the town centre.”

Minutes

Advice to keep to planning merits

The legal officer advised councillors to decide on planning grounds, not moral or licensing views about gambling.

“Councillors considered that local experience of Bridgwater's town centre should form part of the committee's decision-making alongside planning policy. • The Legal Officer reminded Councillors that although local views and consultation responses could be considered, decisions must be based on planning merits, advised Councillors not to allow moral objections to gambling or licensing-related considerations to influence the planning decision.”

Minutes

Councillors voted to refuse

Councillors proposed and seconded refusal, which carried by 6 votes to 4 with no abstentions.

“After deliberations Councillor Smedley proposed to refuse planning permission. This was seconded by Councillor Pearce.”

“Having been duly proposed and seconded the Planning Committee resolved that the Planning Committee resolved that the Planning Application be refused planning permission against the officer recommendation under Policies D18 and D25 of the Sedgemoor Local Plan, because an adult gaming centre would not enhance the town centre and would undermine the retail function of the town centre and would adversely impact on residential amenity.”

Minutes